SHORTAGE OF LIVE STOCK

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 July 1912, Page 5

SHORTAGE OF LIVE STOCK

THE MAIN FACTORS IN THE CASE. A WHOLESALE DEALER'S VIEWS. A representative of this journey called upon the leading men of the town interested in the wholesale meat trade, and in the course of an interview with one prominent representative elicited the fact that there is an undoubted shortage of fat stock- throughout the whole of the district, and butchers are now being compelled to pay considerably more for beef 'and mutton than has usually been the ca,se at this time of the year. For instance at Arahura last Monday, a line of 26 fat bullocks from Mr. H. Bin-rough's estate at South Westland, realised the high average of £l3 4s per head, and beef was sold at anything from 33/- to 34/per 100 lbs., according to quality. What has really caused tho rise, asked our reporter ?

"Short supplies pure and simple," was the response, "mainly owing to the wretched season we have had on the Coast. It is an undoubted fact that the quantity of fat stock throughout the West Coast is considerably below in numbers that of previous years besides owing to the cold and wet fat cattle have fallen away in condition tremendously. The same remarks apply to sheep. A few weeks ago a well known vendor, had a splendid line of fat wethers, and could have sold them to advantage, but having abundance of feed hung on and the result now is that the sheep have gone-back to store condition and he will have to hold until the Spring." Is there any combine amongst the farmers to limit tho entry? "None whatever/' was the reply. "Naturally, of course, farmers have been holding off as long as possible to get high prices usually "obtainable during the winter months, but, as before stated, supplies have not been forthcoming, as they really do not exist in sufficient quantities to. satisfy the demand. A large extent of country is now being used for dairying throughout the district. This coupled with the high prices for store cattle in the spring bad not given farmers too much inducement to go in for fattening."

Why not help the position by arrang-! ing supplies from outside districts? our' reporter asked. "Easier said than done," was tho rejoinder. "Cattle are extremely dear : in the North Island and in Canterbury, and you can take it from me, that after allowing for agency and shipping charges, no association will be' able to supply beef any cheaper to the trade at the prices now ruling than on the Coast. "Shipping freights have been considerably increased. A year ago is was possible to charter a steamer to carry 50 cattle and 300 sheep for £6O, now the same charter costs £BO, in addition to increased charges all round. Notwithstanding this increase, however, a trial effort is being made to relieve, the position and shipments are being arranged for from the North Island to be landed here in time for the next sale:' It is all very .well for the Master Butchers' Association to complain about the deamess of stock and to put.it on to the farmer sending in short supplies. The main cause of their trouble is increased rents and charges in connection 'with the administration of the retail business, and if ,the trade wants to protect itself, it can only do so by passing on the extra cost to the general public. All ready several butchers in" the district have gone out of the business after losing their own time and other ' people's nioney, and, unless relief, is forthcoming in some direction, other retailers will have to follow suit.. Most of the butchers are now getting cash for their supplies, and notwithstanding this benefit, there is still a difficulty in carrying on, and in several cases it is purely hand to mouth, scraping from sale to sale to, get sufficient cash in hand to pay for the stock. In iid other retail, business does such a condition of things exist."