AUCKLAND PRODUCE EXPORT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11869, 22 January 1902, Page 3

AUCKLAND PRODUCE EXPORT.

FROZEN MEAT AND BUTTER.

AN IMPORTANT TRADE.

The Auckland Freezing Works are exceptionally busy just now, and their importance to the community is amply demonstrated. It is through the medium of these works that . Aiicklaadcrs..-are. enabled- to? send ■ to the markets of " the world much of their produce, which could not be sent if the means • of refrigeration were not available. At the present time Auckland beef, mutton, lamb, butter, fish, poultry and even game are being sent to various countries overseas, and this, of course, moans that Auckland producers are receiving money from an outside source,' and. one which seems inclined to take and pay for Auckland goods in much larger proportion than are sent out now.

Some idea of the value of this export trade in Auckland produce may be gained by noting the quantity of the three principal products put through the freezing works per month at this season Beef, 44-o,ooolb, worth about £4000; . lamb, close on 500,0001b, worth about £7000; butter, about 8000 boxes, worth over £17,000; add to these figures the exports of cheese, mutton, fish, preserved meat, poultry and other items and the total represents a very big sum, a sum of over £30,000 per month, which is derived from the settlers' labour on Auckland land, assisted by the mechanical appliances and business organisation of the Auckland Freezing Works. Without the freezing works not a tenth part of the produce mentioned could be sold at any price, for neither butter nor meat could reach the distant markets. The material passed through the Auckland Freezing Works does not represent the full value of similar produce shipped from Auckland, for there is more than one private firm which exports considerable, quantities of meat and dairy produce.

At the present time the Auckland Freezing Works are not by any means dealing up to their full capacity in beef or lambs. Auckland beef is winning an excellent reputation on the London market and much larger quantities could be sold than are now available for export if it could be purchased here at a price corresponding with the market values in London.

It is difficult to estimate the direct and indirect effects of the Freezing Company's operations among the Auckland settlers. It is certain that since beef was exported in quantities the settlers have had an increased market for their surplus stock, and that at a payable price. It is not estimated that the export trade has lessened the quantity of cattle raisod here. That it has stimulated breeding is acknowledged, and that the number of cattle will increase with the increased demand is certain. There is, however, little fear that the increase in cattle will overtake tho demand for many years to come. The plain duty of Auckland cattle farmers is to increase their herds and improve tho quality of their stock. To win a good reputation in the British markets is essential to success, to maintain it is imperative, for only high quality can maintain our trade against tho competition of other countries.

There seems little doubt that tho dairying industry is affecting our beef trade. Auckland settlers, with their land hitherto used

for fattening stock, are turning their grass into milk instead of beof, and thero is a very important problem to bo solved in order to make the dairy industry support instead of retarding the beef trade. This no doubt will work out in the direc-

lion of breeding dairying herds from shorthorn or Holstein or other beef-producing strains. The mutton and lamb trade has a big future before it if formers will raise flocks of the right stamp. Auckland lambs are beginning to be favourably known on

the London market and Auckland mutton can more than hold its own with many of its competitors in quality, but the quantity available is still much too small, tnd until we can oxport thousands instead of hundreds, the formers cannot expect to get tho most payable returns. The amount of butter exported speaks volumes. The values quoted above represent butter at 9id per lb, but according to actual returns Auckland, instead of _ sending out £17,000 per month, is exporting over £20,000 worth. The Freezing Company have recently been making inquiries regarding the possibility of building up an export trade in poultry, and the latest renorts seem to promise favourable results. It is stated that if good noultry can arrive in London in February, March, April end May satisfactory prices can be realised. Altoj gether Auckland's export produce trade is in a promising condition and its promise of expansion is infinite.