OTAGO EGGS IN ONE BASKET.

Evening Star, Issue 6481, 24 December 1883, Page 4

OTAGO EGGS IN ONE BASKET.

TO THE EDITOB. Sm,—The failure of New Zealand exporters of frozen meat to get the best price for their consignments, and the public of London especially to get their mutton at a moderate advance on the cost, to pay the retail butcher, has been ascribed to several agencies, viz,, a monopoly of the disposal of all cargoes by one or two commission agents and " knock outr," by the buying wholesale dealers, the latest reason being that the latter utilised the envy of two salesmen to offer at low prices on a full marked But, sir, I contend that the real cause is to be found in the fact or folly of shipping everything to London. Why should wool, wheat, flour, and frozen meat not be shipped to Liverpool or Glasgow, large centres, and much nearer to the factories and consumers than London. It is stupidity to blame the London buyers, when we allow companies and banks to utilise the producers as the pullers of the chestnuts out of the fire for then* own monopolist commissions. Again, a Queensland cargo of first-class sugar has arrived at Dunedin. We are thus not left at the mercy of Mauritius sugar-growers to send hard coin in payment, but an opportunity is offered by sending a return cargo of Otago produce to several of her rising ports, A reference to the shipping lists will prove that large quantities of farmers' produce are weekly sent from Melbourne and Sydney, including each item of dairy and farm produce that is to be seen in Otago. It is contended that consignments do not pay. The cure of this is exemplified by our merchants and traders following the example of Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney in establishing houses of their own and looking after their own interests. I have endeavored to show that it is very unwise to put all our eggs in one baskot, and perhaps some of your correspondents will point out other baskets that may be filled, expanding the wealth and comfort of Qtago's citizens.— I am, etc., Mercator, Dunedin, December 24.