New Zealand Fat Sheep.

Hastings Standard, Issue 38, 10 June 1896, Page 4

New Zealand Fat Sheep.

In Canterbury (writes '• Drover," in the Otago Witness), prices for all freezing sheep are, quality considered, upon a par with those ruling at Burnside (the Dunedin stock market). Not so in the North Island, where the results of monopoly in the frozen meat trade prices, quality considered, fully 3s per head less than price-; ruling in Canterbury and Otago. I believe lam considerably understating the difference. " I had a conversation with a North Island gentleman who has regularly brought his sheep down to the Addington sales, ami after \ im'u freight, landing, and other charges, finds that he can do const b i IK better than by selling to the local North Island freezing companies Last week at Addington he -jot 12s <>d to 13s 6d for sheep which the buyers in Wellington would not offer more than 8s for. The charges of freight and railage are about- 3s, so evidently he does better than if he >old in the north. I was in the north lately mysely, and found runholders and farmers all over grumbling and even irritated at this sorry state of affairs ; and all I met say it is the result of monopoly. I regret, however, that as yet nothing has been done or even talked of by those most interested—viz the land owners and lessees : that is, nothing beyond grumbling and a large use of " swear words," and yet the whole of the inhabitants of tke North Island are interested in the question, whether they know it or not, for property is assuredly depreciated in value if sheep of equal quality are worth 3s to 4s less in the North Island than in the South —and this is undoubtedly the case. I hear that some of those interested in the freezing companies, with what I consider very bold assurance, say that sheep are more cheaply produced in the north than in the south, and that therefore fanners can afford to take less, and shond do so. I think most of the North Islanders will agree that this statement is not in accordanc-e with facts, and even were it absolutely true, it is no reason at all why mutton in the North Island should be a fraction less in value than that given by South Island buyers at the freezing works. lam allowing for the fact that North Island sheep are perhaps not of the same high quality as some Canterbury mutton, but, allowing for all this, I say again that there is no adequate reason for the extreme difference in the North Island prices except the one stated, viz., the existing monopoly or combination among the freezing companies to keep prices down. I would be glad to hear that Mr Nathan and Mr Orbell, or anyone else, had again taken up the matter, but the general indifference of fanners, and the lack of support or even consideration shown anyone who suggests improvements, puts rather a we: blanket on any such schemes, and presents anyone taking up the subject anew. lam curious to see whether anything beyond a " grin-and-bear-it " policy will be adopted by North Island settlers.