MEAT SEASON ENDS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23075, 28 June 1938, Page 5

MEAT SEASON ENDS

SLACKNESS AT WORKS FEWER LAMBS AND PIGS RISE IN BEEF AND MUTTON With the meat export season closing on Thursday, local freezing works are experiencing the seasonal slackness whiph generally rules throughout June, The number of animals handled reaches its lowest level at this time of the year. Although final figqres are not yet nvailnble for the Auckland Province, it may be stated that the export of lambs and pigs will show a decline on that of the past season, while beef and mutton will be higher. In contrast with the southern works, those in the Auckland Province do not close ii\ the otF season. As the quantity of lambs to bo killed tapers off, the works are kept more occupied with bobby calvos. However, although a small amount of work is still being done, the export season, with the exception of bobby calves and chilling beef, may be considered as closed. The season has been a particularly poor one for hides and skins, and prices are now unusually low. Hides and pelts to-day arc about one-third the value ruling a year ago, while skins and tallow are only bringing about half as much. Brokers are experiencing great difficulty in obtaining buyers overseas. The majority of freezing works in the South Island will close at the end of the month, and killing will not be resumed until December. The works affected are those of Thomas Borthwick and Sons, (Austrahisia), Limited, and the Canterbury Frozen Meat Company, Limited, at Belfast, the North Canterbury Farmers' Co-operative Freezing Company, Limited, at Kaiapoi, and those of the New Zealand Refrigerating Company, Limited, at Islington. Between 1400 and 1500 men will be thrown out of work, and the majority will go on relief. A large increase in sheep killings in Canterbury is reported, while the number of lambs killed showed a slight increase. About 6000 fewer pigs passed through the works. The fattening season was poor and the weights of the carcases have been considerably lower.

PUKEKOHE PRODUCE SCARCITY OF ONIONS HEAVY CABBAGE SUPPLIES [from OUB OWN correspondent] PUKEKOHE, Monday Stocks of locally-grown onions are now scarce and the market to-day was very firm at 17s 6d per cwt., f.o.r. Pukekohe. Importation of Australian onions is regarded as the only factor that will materially overcome the shortage. Some stocks of onions are still held in the Rangitikei district, but these are quoted up to 18s pei' cwt. Cabbages continue to leave Pukekohe for other parts of New Zealand in heavy volume. Values of the Savoy variety are slightly higher than at the beginning of last week, large sacks bringing 15s 6d, which is an advance of 6d, and Chapman bags from 10s 9d to lis 6d, as against lis last Monday. Drumhead varieties have fallen 6d, today's prices being 1-ls 6d a sack and 10s 6cl a Chapman bag. Cauliflowers continue scarce, in face of a heavy demand, and prices have risen from 14s a Chapman bag to 15s 9d in the week. The later cauliflower crops are making satisfactory development and the position is expected to ease in two or three weeks' time. Gamekeeper Pukekplie seed potatoes are finding a market at 10s 9d per cwt., and grey pumpkins at 6s 6d. Parsnips and kumaras continue to bring 6s a sugar bag. swedes 4s 6d. and carrots 3s 9d, while Ballarat cooking apples also remain at 8s 6d a bushel case. Vegetable plants are now available for the new season, cabbage selling at 10s per thousand, cauliflower at lis and onions at 5s 6d.