INCREASED EXPORTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 143, 20 June 1938, Page 4

INCREASED EXPORTS.

NEW ZEALAND MEAT. HIGH FIGURE FOR LAMBS, OVER 6,000,000 SHIPPED. j A marked increase in exports of all classes of meat except pork, is shown in the Meat Board’s returns for the period from October 1 to May 31, which covers the best part of the season. A good spring and summer enabled farmers to fatten larger numbers than usual. The total of lambs shipped abroad is 0,082,935, and shows a rise from last season's figure of 5,720,103 for the same period. Mutton exports increased by an even greater proportion and beef most of all, the three classes—chilled, frozen and boneless—all being up considerably. The following table compares exports of meat during the period under review for the past two seasons:— Oct. 1 to May 31.

1936-7. 1937-8. Chilled beef (qrs.) . 129,851 1.79.7.78 Frozen beef (qrs.).. 77,934 96,736 Boneless beef (bags) 127,999 ■ 198.8.77 Mutton (carcases).. 984,553 1,160.185 Lamb (carcases)... 5,720,103 6,0.82.03.7 Pork (carcases) ... 439,528 416,981) Smaller Stocks Held.

Owing to smaller stocks held in the country at the close of the period, killings of stock for export do not show the same increase as the numbers actually shipped. The number of lambs killed during the season up to the end of. May was slightly less than last year, ami frozen beef is also lower. Ewes killed, however, increased from 752,688 head to 1.069,386, and the figure for chilled cattle is also much higher than last season. Killings of meat for export from New Zealand during the period in the past three seasons compare as follows’:—. Oct. 1 to May 31. 1937-8. 1936-7. 1935-6. Beef-

Owing to the losses of sheep farmers through eczema the outlook for next season is not so favourable. The Waikato, which supplies a large proportion of the country’s meat exports, has suffered heavily. Fewer ewes and wethers will be forthcoming from the districts affected by the disease, while lambs will suffer most of all.

KAURI GUM.

LARGE INCREASE IN EXPORTS. ■ i' CANADIAN PURCHASES RESUMED. i ■ A pronounced increase in the export tonnage of kauri gum is the striking feature in the returns for the month ot May, the quantity being 251 tons 2cwt., as compared with 65 tons officially notified for April. However, this was quite expected, for it was mentioned at the time, when commenting on the abnormally small amount recorded for the earlier month, the smallest quantity shipped during any month in modern times, that the quantity in the official returns had no significance, because several large consignments had been put aboard steamers in Auckland during April, which would only be recorded when these steamers had completed loading elsewhere, and left their final port. These shipments were largely for the United Kingdom and North America, and the latter; included 51 tons for Canada, whereas only one ton had been shipped to that market during the previous six months. This is quite ,tl normal procedure, for it is no use shipping to Canada until the rivers are navigable, and this year the northern winter had been exceptionally severe, for it was the middle of April before water again (lowed over Niagara Falls, after the 'greatest ice jam in the history of the gorge. Last year there was a somewhat similar period of five months in which no kauri gum whatever went to Canada, but shipments were resumed earlier in the more normal spring, and during the whole open season 295 tons were dispatched. Even the late resumption of shipments this year, therefore, is quite satisfactory, as also is the dispatch of 28 tons to the United States, for general business has slumped so heavily in that great country that only eight tons had been sent there during tlie previous five months, as against an average of about 50 tons a month during last year, and about 40 tons a month in 1936. At that time the increased purchases were said to be partly due to a desire to secure stocks before the prices went any higher, but if this was the ease there has been no advantage, as the market has been lower since then.

The improved demand for linoleum gums noticed during the last few months still continues, so the trade is hoping that this signifies that overseas stocks have now been well worked down, and that a normal trade will continue. White gum is now quite a scarce commodity, and if any small quantities are being found they arc evidently still kept on the fields, for only an occasional bag arrives in the city. It is evident that varnish manufacturers have adjusted their formulae accordingly, and are now virtually independent of what was at one time the mainstay of the kauri gum market in Auckland. Of the 251 tons exported 14.5 tons went to the United Kingdom, now by far the principal market, making exactly 100 tons a month if taken in conjunction with the 55 tons that was officially recorded for April, through the overlapping of shipments. France took 26 tons, and one ton went to Germany under an optional z l>ill of lading for the United Kingdom. The odd 2ewt. went to Australia, where there is quite a large manufacture of linoleum, but only for local sale. A very noticeable feature in the Australian purchases is the virtual cessation of purchases since April of last year, whereas 173 tons went during the previous five months. This was quite an abnormallv large quantity to have been purchased in such a short period, for the average diirin**the previous 18 months was only about 15 tons a month, and during the slump vears it was only about. 10 tons, or even lost. Tn their case the manufacturers virfuallv confcsspJ that thee were “gcltin'r in earlv to avoid the crush.” and their ■'olmv- nroved correct, for prices have been distincHy higher during the lone period of their small nurehases than while thev w n, 'a Living in stocks. The declared value of the 2.51 tons 2cwt. returned as sh'pn"'l during Afav is £11.877 an avernop of £l7 per ton. pnmnarpd with £52 127 p, A.vll. £5l 15/ in A(-n—h. nud l5/ in Fpbrn-irv.

Funplips arriving in tl>p oitv (’•■'•» Hip fieMs during Afny amounted to 269 tons, mid in comniline the returns’t was ascertained that there was another 49 tons thaf should have Been inelm l "'! in t’"’ Anril supplies, making the p.nTior me”th 134 tons. Tl,p total sunnlips for <bo five months o( Ibis rear amnimtpd ‘e 714 tons, against 733 tons pxno’’tcd. pnff tin's pomnares wit l ' 1015 tops tn hand durin" enrresnnndh'" neriod of last year, and 1568 ions exported.

WEAK BUTTER MARKET.

LOWERING RETAIL PRICES. LONDON, June 18. Tooley Street merchants are endeavouring to maintain Dominion butter at the present level, but the weakness of Continentals is somewhat of a drag on the market. Lower retail prices are likely to improve consumption and strengthen the situation. '

Chilled qrs. 169,716 127,455 104,124 Frozen qrs. 10'9,828 138,410 160,431 B o n c less frz. c/cs. 463.202 368,796 360,361 Mutton c/cs.Wetlier .. 920.074 936,690 1,097,740 Ewe .... 1,069,386 752.688 662,793 Lamb .... 8,700,411 8,702,931 8,255,322 Fork c/cs. — Porkers 398,374 403,507 428.270 Baconors . 229,039 239,162 212,836 Bobby veal c/cs 76.650 72,908 49.966 Sundry c/cs. 283,588 250,538 264,316