SURPLUS BEEF.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14146, 23 August 1909, Page 6

SURPLUS BEEF.

METHODS OF DISPOSAL.

GRAZIERS' ASSOCIATION.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

Cambridge, Saturday. A well-attended and representative meeting of graziers and others interested was hold at the Farmers' Clnbroom this afternoon, to consider a proposal to form a Provincial Graziers' Association. Mr. R. Fisher presided, and read a number of apologies for non-attendance.

Mr. J. E. Makgill wrote that lie was convinced that if one graziers' association got into operation it would prove of material benefit to the farming community. The real functions of such an association would bo to keep in touch with the agonts at Home, and endeavour to get a share of c.i.f. business offering.

Mr- Reynolds wished it distinctly understood that they wero considering the best means of disposing of their surplus beef. They wore not opposing, the butchers in the least degree, being quite satisfied with the Auckland butchers. If the surplus was to be regulated it was necessary for the graziers to have representative catering for their interest by buying everything when it touched export price.

The Chairman considered that the wholesale price should never be lower than 25s per hundred. ■$

Mr. Norman Banks moved, " That a Provincial Graziers' Association be formed for the purpose of disposing of surplus fat stock, or controlling tho market in any other way that may be deemed desirable, with power to co-operato with any similar association formed in the Dominion."

Mr. Richard Reynolds seconded the motion.

Mr. Knight, of Hamilton, supported tho proposal, saying that the value of a regu-larly-kept stock register would be both in regard to export trade and regulation of price.

Mr. Jos. Barugh, managing director of the Auckland Farmers' Freezing Company, who attended by request, thought that the formation of such an association would prove of value. He explained some of the difficulties met with under the present condition of things, and pointed out how tho Graziers' Association might overcome many of these. The Chairman mentioned that one method of keeping up local prices was to export, but care must be taken not to overdo it, as was done some years ago. Mr. Barugh stated that the meat that went Homo was largely bought by speculators. Beef was fetching less at Homo than previously.

Messrs. E. McGregor (of Ohaupo) and J. Fisher supported the motion, which was carried unanimously. All those present were appointed a provisional committee, with the addition of Messrs. J. E. Makgill, W. G. Park, and Alley. An Executive Committee, consisting of Messrs. J. Fisher, R. Fisher, N. Banks, E. McGregor, R. Reynolds, J. Knight, T. Middleton, J. Taylor, E. Alley, W. Vosper, was set up to put matters on a workable basis, and report to future meeting. LONDON MEAT MARKET. TOO MUCH STOCK. [from our own CORRESPONDENT.] London, July 16. , A very pessimistic feeling prevails in the frozen meat trade. Dealers declare that it is a long time since the demand for frozen mutton was so slack. An overstocked market, combined with the wretched weather of the last six weeks, has had tho effect of bringing the trade to a standstill, and there is a general feeling of disappointment and doubt.

A meeting of the importers was held at the Manchester Hotel on Tuesday, when Mr. George- Goodsir presided over a large and thoroughly representative attendance. The position was fully discussed and statistics were presented, with the result that it was felt that there was far too much stock on hand, far too much stock coining along, and altogether too small a demand. In New Zealand lambs alone there are 500,000 carcases more this year than last, as well as an additional 50,000 from Australia and the Argentine, so that compared with last year there are 1,000,000 carcases more.

An important factor is the weather, which during the last six or seven weeks "has been very wet and unsettled. People will not touch lamb during rainy weather, consequently the demand has been very much below the average. The position is a very serious one, and the difficulty is to know what stops to take to effect an improvement.

After discussion it was felt that the importer should try to raise the price about one farthing per lb to begin with, and then if more seasonable weather set in business might improve. It was also decided to ask the New Zealand Government to undertake some advertising on an extensive scale in the newspapers, by which means the British public might be induced to ask for New Zealand lamb more than they have hitherto. According to the present situation, the New Zealand farmers and people stand to lose heavily.

In the produce report issued this afternoon, the .C. C. and D. Company make the following reference to the meeting: —"lt was agreed that the minimum quotations should bo maintained for ten days, thus: Canterbury light-weight lambs 4d per "lb, medium weights 3id per lb, and heavies 3]d per lb, and the corresponding grades of other New Zealand lambs {d per lb less in each case. No scale was adopted for Australian' lambs, nor did the meeting feel itself competent to deal with the equally urgent condition of the mutton market. It may be added that lambs fell last week to the lowest point touched for 12 years, but it is generally agreed that the rate of consumption is fully equal to that of any previous year. It is the heavy stocks in store which are mainly responsible for present prices." During the week stocks have been augmented by 124,083 carcases of lamb from New Zealand, 11,890 from Australia, and 25,146 from South America.