ARGENTINE LAMB.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15922, 7 May 1912, Page 2

ARGENTINE LAMB.

"The matter of the future of Argentine lambs (writes a London correspondent, under date February 16), is a difficult one to deal with, as are most things in which the Americans have a say. . " The position is somewhat peculiar. Those who were mainly interested primarily in the development of the frozen meat trade from the Argentine (this included Messrs John Cooke and Company, who were instrumental in building works at the River Plate), stated that export of lambs in any quantity from the Argentine is an impossibility. To many it seems a very strange statement that a country which produced sheep in such enormous numbers could not also produce lambs,' but the fact remains that virtually no lambs were sent until the Americans arrived on the scene, Swifts (who purchased the works built by Ccoke), being the largest I find on making inquiries, that Swifts and other American houses state that not only have they found that lambs in large quantities can be exported, but that they believe that this will grow, and that the quantities available will be largely increased. The American houses "appear to have treat faith in the development of the Argentine lamb trade, and are lookin" to supplies from that country' to fill their requirements and enable them to keep down the prices of Australian and New Zealand. " This may be somewhat .on optimistic view on their part, and some people doubt whether their expectations will be realised. As far as I can gather, the difficulty in Argentine that they canno*. introduce English grasses with any degree of success, nor can they grow rape or turnips. If this is the case, one would not expect their lamb production to increase as it has done. say. in New Zealand. " Notwithstanding the disabilities they may labour under, the export of lamb has increased to a fair, extent, as the following figures will show:— 1907, 127,106; 1908, 322,923; 1909. 634.496 1910. 515.01 S—from all parts of South America. 1911, 890.FR5—from Argentine. 1911. 175,801—from other parts of South Arnericn. " Shipments of lambs from Argentine for the last four months:—

"The'above figures show a decided increase in the shipments, and, although not sufficiently large to control the market, the quantity combined with fairly regular supply and the fact that some of the lambs are of a decent quality, enables the Americans to sell in such a way as to keep down the price a bit. ;'" '•' _ ' " For instance, this season, although supplies have not been excessive, Australians have, been fetching something like 3d per lb'less than last year, and the only reason assigned for this is that the Plato people can go on selling their own stuff at a price never quite up to the Australian. , "As to what effect larger supplies will have on New Zealand lamb, it is difficult to say, but I shall' certainly watch the matter. The earlier arrivals of Plate lambs were of good quality, but they did not enter into competition with New Zealand, as few of the latter were on the market. The Plate lambs arriving now are much plainer, and, if they do not improve, we need not fear them this season.

"To sumhiarise, the position is this: On,the one hand, we .have people who say that a big lamb export cannot be developed.; on the other hand, we have the Yankees who are confident to the contrary. I am inclined to agree with the latter,- actions speaking louder than works', and-the figures.given certainly substantiate their opinions. . In , ( the past the quality of tho Plate' lambs has not been very good, and, therefore, did not compete to any extent with New

Zealand; each season, however, an un Pr.ovoment is noticeable, and this improvement continue, and at tne same time the numbers greatly increase, I am afraid that in the Argentine we would have a formidable competitor. Without wishing to moralise, I think you will see that, even on tne off-chance of more competition, it 1S "P to New Zealand to keep up the quality as much as possible."

1911. . 1910. October 3S.989 18,000 November 117.430 07,000 December 144,500 93,000 January, 1912 75,500 72,000 Totals * 376,419 -252,000