FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 9990, 21 March 1898, Page 6

FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

————_©- REPORT FROM THE NEW ZEALAND EXPERT. [By Telegraph.] (from our special correspondent.) WELLINGTON, March 20. In his report to the Agent-General (which has just reached the Agricultural Department), Mr H. C. Cameron, the New Zealand expert at Home, makes the following remarks :—" Since making my last report only two vessels have arrived from New Zealand — the Rangatira on the 31st of January and the Kaikoura on February Bth. As 80 lambs were all that arrived on the Kaikoura, the small supply of 22,375 carcases of mutton and,2187 carcases of lamb only have been received during a month. It' would naturally be expected that this unusually small quantity of mutton coming forward would have materially helped to firm the prices, especially as only very light shipment* are looked for for some time. Instead, however, trade is exceptionally dull, with low prices. This is all the more remarkable as at this time of the year, with favourable weather such as we are now experiencing, prices in former years, could be .generally counted upon to harden; and it is difficult to account for the unsatisfactory state of things at present prevailing. There certainly is not, as there should be, any increasing demand for New Zealand mutton, and I can only again urge that the producers in New Zealand should seriously consider the best means to be taken by them to materially improve the markets for their meat in this country. It is deplorable to think that such a great industry should have to remain almost stationary, as it has done during the past few years, or at all events that what increase in consumption has been gained should only be attained by the acceptance of reduced prices, when it is undoubted that by energetic measures being taken by the producers themselves, there is a large field ready for development. Fortunately for the shippers of the few lambs that have come to hand prices for these have been good, as high as 7d per lb having been readily paid for those of the finest quality. The number arriving so far, of course, has been small, and as the early lamb season may be said to commence here on the Ist February the demand is much in excess of the supply. Although a number of the lambs have been of exceptionally fine -quality, others have certainly been no credit to the colony, lacking condition and finish, and as there was a demand which had to be supplied, the shippers of them may be considered lucky in obtaining for them the prices realised.".