BETTER MEAT PRICES

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 102, 24 January 1933, Page 12

BETTER MEAT PRICES

Gradual Rise Since November

RESTRICTIONS ON IMPORTS Since the voluntary emergency restrictions on the importations of meat into the United Kingdom became operative there lias been a steady appreciation iu Smithfield prices for frozen meat from the Dominion. The restrictions came into force in November, New Zealand's exports of mutton and lamb to Great Britain being reduced during that month and December by 10 per cent, compared with the shipments in the corresponding period of 1931. Actually, New Zealand was not affected in any way, because without any limitation on her exports shipments of mutton and lamb during the two months were well below the stipulated quota. One reason given for the decrease in exports from New Zealand was the good local demand for lamb, particularly at Christmas, many people selecting it in preference to poultry. The object of the'restrictions, which applied to all overseas meat-producing countries, was to improve the standard of prices ruling at the time, and an analysis of quotations since the beginning of November shows that the improvement hoped for has been realised. Back in June of last year the price of New Zealand selected lamb was 6 5-8 d per lb., and in the following month 7]d, but by the commencement of November the price had fallen to 51-Sd. Since then prices have gradually risen. The extent to which New Zealand has benefited is revealed in the following table of Smithfield prices for North Island mutton and lamb: —

Adjustments in Export Schedule

Adjustments in the meat export schedule will follow as a result of the increase iu the exchange rate. Exporters have been in communication with London, and it is generally expected that the new rates will be 15 per cent, higher, less the added cost of freight charges. At least one company has announced its schedule for lamb and mutton. Its quotation for first grade lamb up to 361 b has risen by 1 l-Bd. The prices quoted by this company are as follow, prices immediately prior to the advance in exchange being in parentheses:—Up to 36 lb, 5 7-8 d (4Jd); 361 b to 421 b- 5 1-84 (4-Jd) ; overweights, 4 5-8 d (4d) ; seconds, 5 1-Sd (4-Jd). Wether mutton is now listed at up to 4 3-Sd, and ewe mutton at up to 2 3-Bd. The old prices ranged up to 3jd and IJd respectively. The limit for latnbs is the highest it has been since December, 1031, when the season opened at 5Jd. Shippers were recently advised that they would have to bear the 15 per cent, additional in freight should the exchange rate move to 25 per cent. The producer will ultimately bear the extra shipping cost, as it will be calculated in the price put. out by the exporter. The extra cost of shipping has been calculated at about 0.135 d per lb, or about one-eighth of a penny. The benefit to the producer of fat‘stock will not be as great as that received by the dairy-farmer. The freezing works have been in operation now for over two months, and the peak of .the killing season is passed. The number of lambs coming forward is falling away, and most of the pig-killing for the season has been completed. However, the mutton season is now under way, although this year the killings of sheep should be considerably fewer than last year. Farmers who shipped this season on their own account probably stand to gain most advantage. However, the proportion of these is small in spite of an increase this season. EGGS AND EGG PULP Quantities in Cold Storage Quantities of eggs and egg-pulp in cold storage in New Zealand as at December 31 last were as follow: figures for December 31, 1931, being given for purposes of comparison:—

MOTOR FUEL FROM COAL Manchester Corporation Buses By the extraction of benzol and toluol from coal, the Manchester Corporation proposes to provide cheap fuel for the large fleet of buses employed in its transport service and anticipates that the consequent saving will permit a reduction in the price of gas from the municipal works. This is the culmination of years of research work, conducted by Mr. A. L. Holton, the chief engineer. At present -the transport department uses more than 1,000,900 gallons of petrol annually. With the installation of additional plant for the manufacture of the benzol fuel it is expected' that the gas department -will be in a position to supply the transport department with 340,000 gallons of fuel at a saving to the transport department of nearly 4d. a gallon, on a profitable basis to ■ the " as undertaking. The process is a development of the one begun during the war by Mr. Holton at the instigation of the Government when, under his management, a plant was in operation producing benzol and toluol for the manufacturer of explosives. Since that time Mr. Holton has continued bis research in the hope of making a substitute for petrol for transport purposes. The benzol fuel which has now been obtained ns the result of his work is stated to be free from the objectionable smell which was apparent in the crude benzol nt first obtained, and to bo as efficient for motor purposes as petrol. As a home product, the fuel will be free of tax. whereas imported petrol is subject to the tax of Bd. a gallon. This' will mean a saving of hundreds of thousands of pounds n year to the city. and. at the same time, the gas department expects to-find in the process'a lucrative source of revenue, which, it is hoped, will be reflected in cheaper gas. . INDIAN TEA TRADE Exports to New Zealand Increase According to an report received from Shome and Sons, tea merchants and exporters, Buitakhana Road, Calcutta, India, tea exports to New Zealand from April 1 to December 20, 1932. amounted to 853,5261 b. ns against 813,6951 b. for the corresponding period of the previous year. The report states that the Calcutta public tea auction No. 2< was held on December 19 and December 20.- comprising 34,000 diets of leaf and 10,900 chests of dust. Tea sold up to sale o. 27 was 846,943 chests, at an average price of annas 5/2 per lb, compared with 803,212 chests at an average price of annas 6/7 per lb., at the corresponding sale No. 27 the previous year. There was a larger selection on offer. Quality continued to be disappointing lor the time of year, and only a very few invoices from the Doar aud Darjeeling showed autumnal quality. Demand continued to be good, and clean, common teas were well supported at previous week's rates, though stalky types wore not wanted, except al a anna decline. There was more inquiry for leaf grades with style, but , medium broken grades were barely steady, except where quality improved, and here prices advanced.

Nov.5 Dec. 2 Jan. 21 d d d Wethers, 57 to 641b 31-3 4J 5 Lambs (selected) — 361b and under .. 5 1-3 * 74 37 to 421b 41 * 7 A Second quality .. 4' 5 J 6-i Lambs (othejT brands) — 361b and under .. 4 J * 7J ■37 to 421b 41 * 71 Second quality .. 3J 5} 64 ‘Not quoted.

1932, 19,:i. Eggs in shell, doz. 74,151 65.704 Egg pulp, lbs., .. 593,219 575.557 Frozen whites, lbs. 2,064 Egg yolk, lbs. ... 1,030 1,052