NEK ZEALAND PRODUCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11538, 24 November 1900, Page 3

NEK ZEALAND PRODUCE.

—; ♦ . REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR IN ENGLAND. '[BY TELEGRAPH.PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Friday. Mb. Cameron, Government produce inspector in England, writing on October 18, says that though a better tone prevailed in the meat market, and prices, especially for mutton, had improved, there had not been a brisk demand. The growing feeling that stocks were going to be short, and shipments from New Zealand for some time light, hhd been the cause of the hardening. Stocks were also reported to have got into the hands of a few strong holders. Mr. Cameron coneiders that prices will continue to harden for some- time. The Frozen Meats Association has taken up the question of damage to cargoes in dock and subsequently to discharge, and is endeavouring to bring about improvement of the present method. Meantime there is a better tone also in the dairy produce market. The demand for colonial rjroduce has been almost keen, and prices have risen weekly by a few shillings per cwt. There is sure to be a good demand for New Zealand butter of this season's make. As to the proposal to set up a committee in London to control the price of colonial butter, the inspector is of opinion that little good will result from agitation, owing to the objection of merchants And speculators, who resent being ruled by' aivy committee, and prefer to sell in the Homo market and assure themselves. He thinks good might result from the formation of a committee if all New Zealand butter were sent on consignment for sale on the producers' account, by one or two agents, whose interest it would be to fix the prices and establish a reputation for the particular brands they handle. Mr. Cameron says the hemp market is a particularly sensitive one, and this is at present most noticeable, for whereas at the beginning of the month those holding stocks were anxious sellers, now all are holding firmly for higher 'rates. At the auction sales last week the offerings of New Zealand hemp were only small. These realised £1 per ton more than the price of the previous week, while this week there were no lots of New Zealand hemp catalogued. Transactions made jrivately have been effected at another £1 advance. £19 per ton is now the price ruling for good fair Wellington grade.