N.Z. MUTTON AND LAMB

Evening Star, Issue 17918, 14 March 1922, Page 3

N.Z. MUTTON AND LAMB

THE POSITION AT HOME. Tlie Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. W. Nos worthy) slates that at present reduced c.i.f. offers are being made for New Zealand mutton and lamb, which is stall’d to bo due to expected heavy arrivals in the United Kingdom in March and April. The statistical ' position does not justify the statements in view of the fad that the High Commissioner's cable of March 11 states that stocks of old season’s meat arc small, and the new season’s in short supply. There would appear to be no reason to anticipate a reduction on the London market. The arrivals of New Zealand meat on the London market this season and the aniicipnted arrivals to the end of April are as follow: Beef. Mutton. Lamb. Quarters. Carcasses. Carcasses. January ... 36.546 53,354 28,108 February ... 10,450 84,529 161,960 March " .. 17,219 402,601 587,795 April ... 15,570 225,654 524,646 Tho comparison of shipments of meat from New Zealand in the, 1920-21 and 192122 seasons, estimated in 601 b freight carcasses, is as follows: 1920November, 1920 829.H0 December, 1920 1,293.012 January, 1921 483.420 February, 1921 28 f ,6.36 Totals 2,898,181 Balance in store in Now Zealand on February 28, 1921, 3,355,40 /. 1921November, 1921 240, 000 December, 1921 184,152 January, 1922 629,743 February, 1922 730,530 Total 1,787,811 Balance in store in New Zealand on February 28, 1922, 1,739,271. it" is significant that the prices quoted for the now season’s meat in the United Kingdom, immediately after the removal of Government control on March 31, 1921, were; —Light-weight mutton, to 9d ; heavy-weight mutton, 7£d to Bjd; lamb, 12d to loci. To-day prices, quoted by the High Commisuonor, are : —Light-weight mutton, 7£d to 8d ; heavy-weight mutton, 6-jd to 7d; North Island lamb, Hid to Hid. No Canterbury mutton is on the market. In view of tbe certainty of reduced export for the season, and provided there is no manipulation of the market in the interests of individuals, New Zealand producers should be assured of a reasonable return for all mutton and lamb shipped during the season.