PROSPECTS FOR MEAT

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LII, Issue 8475, 21 December 1923, Page 4

PROSPECTS FOR MEAT

BEEF LIKELY TO RISE. That mutton and lamb will recede in price, and that beef will rise, is the opinion of Mr F. J. Walker, principal of the firm of F. J. Walker i and Company, Ltd., frozen meat and produce exporters, whose headquarters are in Australia, and who is now visiting New Zealand. “The present prices of mutton and lamb must come down,” Mr Walker declared. ‘‘The people of England cannot afford to pay the present prices. Advices from London are to this effect, and sellers who insist on obtaining the present high prices will have to ship Home and take their chances of the market Droughts in Australia, Mr Walker said, had adversely affected pastoralists to such an extent that the output of frozen meat would this year be reduced by fully 50 per cent. Questioned as to the prospect of trade with the Continent* Mr Walkensaid that this was steadily increasing, “Germany must have meat,” he said. “It is only a question of arranging for payment. TJp to the present all consignments sent to that country have been promptly paid for. Cow beef has never been stent to Germany. Germany and other Continental countries are prepared to take prime) quality beef, and have always done so. When international finances have been restored beef will advance in price, while mutton and Idrab will as surely recede tot a rate i within the purchasing power cl the English public.” Respecting the shortage of sheep throughout the world, Mr Walker stated that the explanation was sample. While wool was low in price sheepowners had exported beyond their production. “Now that wool has recovered,” he said, “you , will find that the pastoralists will not be so willing to part with their sheep. You could scarcely blame them for selling their sheep while mutton was dear and: wool worth , next to nothing. While wool kept up flocks will gradually increase and multiply again.”

Asked as to the chances of Australia taking further shipments of bullcck s from New Zealand, the visitor said that there were plenty of: cattle in Australia, but drought sometimes caused a shortage, as was the case recently in Victoria, when supplies were obtained in New Zealand. Should a similar shortage occur again iti was likely that New Zear land would' again be called upon to supply the deficiency.

Mj* Walker stated that his firm was at present interesting itself in the establishment of retail shops in England for the disposal of frozen meat produces. Herein, he declared lay tfie solution of the problem as far ag'Australia, and New Zealand producers were concerned.