The Hastings Standard Published Daily. THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 1897. THE WEAK SPOT.

Hastings Standard, Issue 298, 15 April 1897, Page 2

The Hastings Standard Published Daily.

THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 1897. THE WEAK SPOT.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrongs that need resistance, For the future in the distance, And the good that we can do.

Ft ut a long time there has been grave anxietv as to the future of the frozen meat trade. Prices have receded to a point that makes profit an impossible item. The imperilled state of this great industry has not escaped attention, for we have had numberless schemes unfolded having for their object the re-organisation of the trade, and we have had opinions without number fcmblicly expressed by experts and nondescripts as to what ought to be done and what ought not to be done to improve the frozen meat trade. The subject is at this moment engaging considerable attention, and at such a time the view- of an expert and a sound business man thoroughly conversant with the entire ramifications of the colonial meat trade, but more particularly with its distribution in Great Britain, cannot fail to be of interest. Mr Montague Nelson is undoubtedly a competent j authority on this subject, and at the j annua! meeting in London of Messrs j Nelson Brothers, made some very I cogent remarks on the meat trade. Alter pointing out that the importation of live cattle bad increased 35 ptr cent, fxeek bwl 25 pet wxt, wad

frozen sheep and lamb per cent, he added the increase from Australia in 1896 over 1895 was 68 per cent. And as there was no connection between supply and demand taken into account by shippers the result was chaos. Meats, &c., were now forwarded to nearly 100 parties here for sale, and as they had to be sold the oompetition between all those active j agents is easier to imagine than describe. The trade was chiefly being hurt and ruined by its own disorganisation. There were various systems in operation. We had consignments and c.i.f. sales. One system just capsized the other. There was the " filling up space" system. There were rumors of preferential rates and all sorts of endeavors to bring enough meats to make steamships pay their owners. No one can blame the carriers for enterprise, but it makes sound business in the meat industry next to impossible. Prices might be sustained by combination, but he evidently fails to see how combination is possible while conditions hinted at exist. There is no chaos in the Yankee dead meat or live stock trade. There are wonderful organisation and skilful management. Imitation of such of their system as may be practicable is assuredly desirable, but as the large meat exporters engineer things at headquarters, so clearly will Australians have to do. American agents in England are but few, and the American exporters are not numerous, but most of these commanders-in-chief have a good knowledge of the English markets and a perfect acquaintance with the officers who sell their meats. The staff employed is comparatively a small one, but well paid for efficient services. These representatives have to make frequent reports upon the position, and not infrequently selected men visit the States and confer with che " big bosses." It would be unjust to suggest there are not plenty of capable representatives engaged in the distribution of colonial meats, but it is quite fair to assert under existing conditions more cannot be asked from them than is attempted. Many feel as Mr M. Nelson does, and are overwhelmed with the difficulties which no efforts in London can remedy. The exports, as now directed or not directed, are beyond control, and until this mighty industry is directed and controlled it seems vain to hope for reasonable improvement and profit to all concerned.