THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 275, 14 August 1920, Page 10

THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE

A MORE HOPEFUL OUTLOOK.

(From Our Special Correspondent.)

Palmerston North, August 12. Messrs. A. M. llliott aud Co. have received a letter from Messrs. Gilbert Anderson and Co., tile weil-known colonial meat agents, London, dated July 'A whici) contains information wTiich should bo oi considerable interest to meat growers, and from which they have allowed the following oxcerpts to bo taken: —

"The authorities here have proimsea and are prepared to glvs full consideration to shippers' requirements, although no hopes could he held out until the commencement of the new season in November next. Meantime, wo understand that every endeavour is to lie used by the authorities to nil as much meet us possible before tho end of this 1 , year, and it is formated that tho whole of the purchases of the Imperial Government will lie cleared from New Zealand by MnrclK 1921. Of course, nobody will believe that this will be occomplisned. At the same time it may lie interesting to know that large quantities of 'New Zealand meut continue to be sold, and that most agents of any importance have been able to dispose of their releases eo rapidly thatcontinual attendnnco is necessary at the offices of the Ministry of Food to ol>tain further supplies to keep customers going. Another important factor is thai vessels are now able to berth as soon ns they arrive and commence discharging almost immediately, thus facilitating their 'turning round' and return to tho Dominion without undue delay. Tt is even stated that for the moment there is actually some insulated space to 6pare in the London stores, which is a state of affairs that 'has not existed for many many months past, and will not last very long. "The disposal of Australian meat is not proceeding 60 rapidly, and although in the absence of available supplies from New Zealand there has been an improvement during tho last month* it is a notable fact that butchers will not buy the former if the latter is available.

"At this period of the year the advent of supplies of Home-killed meat usually makes itself felt in competition with Iraported, but this year there.has been o . marked falling off in the quantity marketed, with the result that large clear- • ances of tho imported article have continued to be made. In the early part ; of .Tune the absence of all descriptions of beef was particularly marked, and lull maximum prices were obtained for entile I inferior qualities. Later, however, there ! were large pitchings of South American, ! and the manner in which tins was used ; by holders to assist in clearing heavy : niutton has caused a good deal of feelj ing l among the retail trade, and has' even led 'The Times' to devote an editorial to the subject of 'conditional sales.' "The reason for short supplies of Homekilled meat is generally attributed to the fact that growers are holding back tlcir stocks until after July 4, when the Home trade ceases to be controlled. On all Bides the opinion appears to be that prices will advance, and many butchers are said to have- made contracts at values w!hich may eiisily show u big loss should'the public fail to w.ke up supplies, which is quite likely to h'ippen should they show the same consistency ol action in this direction as has been veiy apparent in others during the past few weeks.

"New Zealand meat continues to. sell well, hut wife any available supplies being disposed of immediately releases can be obtained, buyers have had to take o larser proportion of Australian.

"In accordance with a new nricc list which came into force on the 28Lh ult„ tegs are once again scheduled at lamb prices." So far as supplies to the Smithfield market are concerned, the following comparison of the total pitching for the four weeks ended June 26 may ho interesting:— .

Tons. 11)20 '. 25,758 1919 21.601 1914 ..'. 32,413 • The arrivals for June so far advised are:— j Carcasses Carcasses Quarters Mutton. , Lamb. Beef. South America 155,215 19,300 321,33b Australia 244,483 97,333 25,671 New Zealand 214,001 . 253,556 40,200 , 613,729 370,249 \ 337,207