COMMERCIAL.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17939, 6 December 1923, Page 10

COMMERCIAL.

THE MEAT TRADE. AUSTRALIAN PROPOSALS. MARKET IN GERMANY. (BI CABLE— PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPT/tIGHT-) (AUSTHALIAH AKD N.Z. CABLB ASSOCIATION.) December sth, 7.50 p.m.) (SYDNEY, December 4. At the first annual meeting of the Australian Meat Council, the chairman claimed that producers had greatly benefited by the activities of the Council, securing a renewal of the meat subsidy, a reduction of loading and other charges, and better grading and handling facilities in Australia and London. Reviewing the question of foreign competition, he said that the lot or the Argentine producers was not happier than that of the Australian producers. Changes were necessary to enable them to produce and market their stock profitably. South Africa need not be taken seriously as a competitor. Drastic alterations in Australia's present system, and a. systematic advertising campaign in England, were necessary, however, if they were to continue the industry successfully.

Sir Henry Jones gave detailed results of enquiries made on his recent visit to Europe, including negotiations with leading employers of labour in Germany, to supply Australian meat direct to their employees, thus eliminating intermediate charges. He had worked out details, and was very saj>» guine that a large and profitable trade could be developed in Germany. Dealing with the position in England, ho outlined a proposal for establishing a distributing corporation, with the aim ultimately of acquiring, s;iy, about 1000 shops. He anticipated <:hat this would give a profitable return without adding to the cost of the meat to consumers.

The meeting discussed the importation of New Zealand cattle, and the opinion was expressed that the tick regulations between th© various States were in some measure responsible for interfering with the free distribution of local supplies of cattle, thus making an opening for New Zealand cattle. It was decided to make representations to the next conference of stocli inspectors with a vi.3w to relaxing the tick regulations in regard to cattle passing from clean areas. It was resolved to make Christmas displays of meat at Smithfield and other English centres. FINANCING WORKS. STATE AID SOUGHT.

(Received December sth, 10.30 p.m.)

SYDNEY, December 5

A deputation, from the Meat Council asked Dr. Earle Page (Commonwealth Treasurer) to finance its works until it could rase a levy, which it was unable to do until the various States had passed the necessary, legislation. Unless the Commonwealth helped it over the gap, the council would have to _ go out of existence.

Mr Manning, M.H.R., said that if they could not find overseas markets for beef they would have to reduce oroduction.

Mr Bell (Queensland) stated that 6tock had been sold from parts of his State at threepence .per head. If the present condition continued, Queensland would go out of the Ceef export business. He added that the council asked for only £20,000, which would be repaid when the States passed the necessary- legislation. Dr. iSarle Page, in reply, referred the deputation to Sir George Fuller (Premier of Now South Wales). He suggested that the council should asK the State Ministry to legislate immediately legalising a levy. He promised to submit the question of tiding the council over until it was able to enforce its levy to the Federal Cabinet. ' COTTON MARKET. SENSATIONAL SLUMP. (BY CJIBLB—PSE£IS ASSOCIATION*—COFIBIOHT.) (AUSTRALIAN AK3 S'.K. CABLE ABSOCIATIOK.) (Received December sth, 5.5 p.m.) j LONDON, December 4. A sensational slump was recorded in the cotton market to-day at Liverpool, prices" for American at one time being 126 points below yesterday's level. But they recovered somewhat, closing at from 50 to 80 points down. The collapse is supposed to be due to speculators selling, in anticipation that the next crop report, to be issued on Saturday, will indicate that the crop is likely ,to turn out better than has been expected;

. CATTLE DISEASE. MAY NOT BE RINDERPEST. (Received December sth, II p.m.) SYDNEY, December 5. Dr. J. H. L. Cumpston (Commonwealth Director of Quarantine) states that it is not definitely established that the outbreak ia - is really rinderpest. As soon as it is decided, the Government -will proceed with the manufacture of a serum to inoculate cattle against the disease. ■.■ ~ ■ FRESH CASES. (Received December 6th, 11 p.m.) PERTH, December 5. Several new cases of the cattle dissase have occurred at Beaconsfield, near Fremantle. The Government has ordered .the destruction of all cows in that area. The cattle section at Osborne Park Show, to be held next Saturday, has been prohibited. LAMBING RETURNS.

(PBISSS ASSOCULTIOK TXLBGBAIC.) WELLINGTON, December 5. The Department of Apiculture estimates that the average lambing percentage for the current season in the North Island is 91.34. With 7,170,14 c breeding ewes in the North Island, as shown in the 1923 sheep returns, the number of lambs this season is estimated at 6,549,143. The corresponding figures for last year showed a lambing percentage of 90.36, breeding ewes to the number of 6,771,482, and an estimated lambing of 6,118,530. METALS. <£eeerf«d December sth, 11 p.m.) ■•' • . 1/ONDON, December 4. Tia—Stock*, 16,939 tone; opot, 2471 tono;