MEAT EXPORT TRADE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19832, 30 December 1927, Page 7

MEAT EXPORT TRADE.

POSITION IN AUSTRALIA.

"IT IS GOING BACK FAST." " Unless our production increases, Australia will cease exporting beef in eight years and mutton in 10 years," said Mr. Angliss, M.L.C., recently in giving evidenc before the Royal Commission on the Federal Constitution. Mr. Angliss said that he had had 40 years' experience in the meat and pastoral industries, and that Australia's meat export trade was not only dwindling, it was " going back fast." Mr. LI. B. Duffy: Production is not decreasing in Australia ? Witness: But the demand in Australia is overtaking the fcupply. Urging that elimination of the land tax would have a beneficial effect on primary production and export trade, Mr. Angliss said that in many instances the land tax became a capital tax. Some producers after paying all expenses had no actual income. An income tax on actual profits would be much fairer. 1 * The losses of one year should be set off against the profits of another. Removal of the land tax would mean the possible holding on of many of those who under present conditions were forced off tho land owing to the unsatisfactory state of the export business. Many freezing works were paying thousands of pounds a year out of capital for land taxes on their areas Mr. Duffy: Has not the land tax resulted in cioser settlement 1 Witness: It may have done so in some districts where there is good rainfall and regular seasons, but that is small as far as the whole of Australia is concerned.

IRON ORE DEPOSITS.

WEST AUSTRALIAN VENTURE. PLANS FOR DEVELOPMENT. According to the Perth correspondent of the Sydney Morning Herald there are good prospects of vast deposits of rich iron ore in Yampi Sound, 100 miles north of Derby, Western Australia, being worked with British capital at an early date. Negotiations for the shipment each year of 150,000 tons of ore to Japan are proceeding between Japanese interests and the holder of the option over the Koolan Islands leases in the sound. The leases are held by a Western Australian syndicate, from which Mr. J. Thomson, who formerly held leases of the Cockatoo Island deposits in the same sound, has obtained an option. Should a deal result, it is understood that capital will be found by a group of British ironmasters to instal the necessary plant and equipment for the breaking and shipment of ore. In some parts the lode rises precipitously to a height of from 200 to 350 feet above sea level, and experts declare that ore can be mixed and shipped cheaply. Mr. Thomson disposed of the Cockatoo Island leases to the Queensland Government some years ago, for £30,000 worth nf 30-year debentures. Since then, the Queensland Government has sold the leases to Hosking and Company, Limited, who propose to commence work at the island on a big scale in the near future. It is understood that a representative of Japanese interests is negotiating for the purchase of Koolan Island ore. and is on his way to Western Australia to enter into a" tentative acreement with Mr. Thomson.

PARKING OF MOTOR-CARS.

LARGE STATION IN SYDNEY. One of the first parking stations in Australia on a scale resembling the buildings which have been erected in American and Continental cities is just nearing completion in Sydney, where a five-floor building is being converted into garages, 'lhe building is in York Street, near the corner of Market Street, and will have accommodation for 350 cars. The new garage will be open day and night. Cars will drive in from the street, and from floor to floor by ramps of an easy grade, with " one way traffic, ' and there will be accommodation on each floor for from 50 to 70 cars. It is considered that the space available, 55,000 square feet, will allow of the most efficient working when 250 cars ate in the building, although at a stretch another 100 can be taken. Petrol and oils will be available on each floor, and on the top floor there will be a well-equipped compressed air plant for washing cars. Oiling and greasing cars will also be undertaken. MAIZE CHAMPIONSHIPS. NEW SOUTH WALES CROPS. That the maize championship in New South Wales will ultimately bo as beneficial to the growers of that crop as tlip wheat championships have proved throughout the wheat belt is the hope of the Royal Agricultural Society, says the Sydney Morning Herald. The difficulties of getting competitions into full swing may be considerably greater, but there tiro now very encouraging sipis that, in at least four, if not five, districts, tho local competitions on which tho championships must be based will bn held this season. The very welcome rains along the coast, except in the far south, have improved prospects very considerably. Mr. L. S. Harrison, the instructor in agriculture, who is specialising in maize, growing, has recently visited most of tho districts interested, and reports that much enthusiasm is being shown in many of the centres in regard to tho competition. On tho far north coast, several societies aro considering tho question The central coast and Hawkesbury divisions hopo to have at least four, local competitions going, while a similar number is anticipated on the South Coast, provided the growing conditions are somo- ■ what more favourable than they have been for a considerable time.

TALLOW AND HEMP MARKETS. .HIGH COMMISSIONER'S REPORT. The Department of Agriculture has received the following cablegram dated December 23, from the High Commissioner (or New Zealand, London:— Tallow.—The spot market iis quiet but more business is passing for shipments in inferior quality. Official quotations aro :—Mutton : Fine. 39s 6d per cwt.; fair to good, 36s 6d to 395; dark and dull, 34s 6d to 35s 6d. Beef: Sweet and/or mixed, 38s 6d to 425; fair to good, 36s to 38s 6d; dark and dull, 34s to 355. Mixed: Fair to good, 36s to 38s; dark and dull, 34s to 355. Gut, etc., 33s to 355. Wool.—The Bradford market is easier. Tops quotations are:—64's, 50's (halfbred), 40's one penny below last rates. Hemp.—The Manila market is steady but quiet. Value of "J " grade Jan-uary-March shipment is £42 per ton. Sisal is less active. No. 1 grade De-cember-February shipments sold at £37 ss, but buyers' ideas are now £37; No. 2 value, £36. Freight cn sisal from Africa to Newcastle has been reduced 20s per ton. New Zealand : Demand falling off on higher price being asked. Closing value December-February, highpoints, £34 'Os; fair, £32 15s; common, £32. Tow: Second grade, £22j third grade, £l9 10s..