PRESERVED PROVISIONS.

Press, Volume XXII, Issue 2681, 11 March 1874, Page 2

PRESERVED PROVISIONS.

The Australian Meat Agency (Tallennan's) Companj say:—The accounts for the year 1873, having been published, show a marked decrease' in the importation of Australian preserved meats, the total quantity being 18,061 tens, of the value of .£733.84 8, as against 17,601 tons, valued at £906,680 in 1872. The uuinber of cases was 260,763, as against 321,705 in 1872, showing a difference of <i 1,022 cases, the larger portion of which arose in the shipments from Victoria, in which colony most of the meat-preserving establishments had ceased working, owing to the high prices demanded for sheep by the settlers. Whether the course thus pursued is a judicious one remaine to be seen, but it can scarcely be expected that a young trade can be carried 'on without regular supplies, and, should the demand that has been created be allowed to die out, it will not easily be revived. It cannot be too deeply impressed upon the minds of settlers that wool will not always maintain its present high rates, and the rapid manner in which runs become stocked may in a very short time cause sheep to be at nominal prices again. The production of meat, as well as of wool, should therefore be the Study of all colonists engaged in pastoral pursuits. The imports, as far as they suited the requirements of the trade, have been fairly taken into consumption ; on many occasions several items have been entirely out of the market. Stocks, as a whole, are much lighter than they were this time last year. Prices during the year have been fully maintained, and, while the declared value of the importations of 1872 give an average of £51 10s 2d per ton, or say s£d per lb, those of 1873 reach £56 3s 3d, or a fraction over 6d per lb. This increase may be traced in some measure to the enhanced value of the small-weed tins, which comprised most ot the shipments for the year. Many # &9 U»Ue4 »eat'pre§9rfißg W&Pftßirß j

having ceased working, their places have been most advantageously supplied by private establishments, and a marked improvement is apparent, both in the selection of shipments and the preservation of the meats. It is to be hoped that this improvement will continue, as it will tend not only to increase the demand, but also the price. The trade that was done last year in the midland counties and the other centres of the work-ing-class districts ha 3 almost entirely ceased, while the demand amongst the better class of grocers and Italian warehousemen continues to increase in a most satisfactory manner, showing that the meats have taken a firm, permanent hold amongst the middleclass consumers. The continental demand has increased very much, and will probably do so still more. The difficulty that existed, owing to the meats in many countries being classed as luxuries and saddled with a heavy duty, has in some instances been removed, and they are now classed as fresh and salt meats, paying but a nominal rate. It ie likely that other Governments will also make concessions of the same character. The importation of preserved beef from South America and Texas is beginning to assume large proportions, and it is likely that, as the quality is good, these importations will make a position for themselves in this market, and rapidly increase in quantity. Some large shipments of mutton hams have arrived, and sold fairly at rates that leave a fair profit to the packer. About 150 tons of these goods have arrived during the year, realieing 37s to 40s per cwt in original packages. They require considerable care and attention on being unpacked to make them of a preventable and marketable appearance. The trade has had some strange phases during the year; 6-lb tins, both of beef and mutton, have been exceedingly scarce, and on many occasions were dearer than smaller-sized tins.