The Manawatu Daily Times Rise in Meat Prices

Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 7063, 24 January 1933, Page 6

The Manawatu Daily Times Rise in Meat Prices

More encouraging than the firming of the wool market is the rise that has taken place in London meat values since the voluntary scheme for restricting imports came into operation on November 7. The immediate effect was to steady the market and arrest the precipitous fall in prices. According to Major Walter Elliot, Minister of Agriculture, the improvement in prices over those of the previous month represented 30s a head for cattle, four to five shillings for fat sheep and lambs and about seven shillings and sixpence for fat pigs. New Zealand has benefited to a greater degree than is generally realised as the following table of comparative London quotations for North Island mutton and lamb shows : November 5 January 14 d d Wethers, 57-64 34 5 Lambs (selected) —36 and under ~ 54 7-J 37-42 44 74 Second quality 4 6-4 Lambs (other brands) —36 and under 4J 71 37-42 41 71 Second quality 31 6.f Seeing that the upward trend has been progressive since the restriction on imports the prospect of the new level of values being maintained if not further improved is bright, and the pastoralists have reason for feeling heartened. Every fraction of added value is of importance. The total output of fresh meat in New Zealand is in the region of 760,000,0001 b. on which a rise of one halfpenny a pound represents £1,500,000. Growers may be less confident over the outlook for wool than for meat, but the trend is in the right direction, and an average rise of one halfpenny on a clip of 283,000,0001 b., whicli was last year’s total, would mean a gain of well over half a million. No spectacular recovery in any produce market has been anticipated, but that in regard to lamb and mutton in London since November may be so described. Part of the gain must be offset by the restriction on export, but, nevertheless, there is reason for rejoicing.