THE FROZEN MEAT INDUSTRY.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4407, 13 July 1901, Page 3

THE FROZEN MEAT INDUSTRY.

A REPORT BY THE PRODUCE COMMISSIONER.

In his report to the Agricultural Department, dated London, Jufio 7th, the Produce Inspector states that excessive dullness prevails in the iputton marko at Homo. Prices have been steadily receding for some time, until now, with tho exception of those obtaining tor primp quality meat, they are so very low as to bo undoubtedly unpayable to the snippers. On top of this state of things tho inspector reports that the arrivals havo been heavy* and that stocks hav© been accumulating. Prime sheep are, however, scarce, and consequently in demand at gc»d prices, averaging 4d per lb, while coarse sheep are in excess,- and are only selling with difficulty down to as low ‘as 2id per lh. Mr Cameron, the inspector, has found that many carcases offering are grossly fat and wasteful, and are practically useless for a high” class trade. The shipments during the present season have been greatly in excess of those of previous years. There is a feeling on the market, however, that shipments of New Zealand are likely to become lighter,, owing to the prices re alised offering little inducement to continue shipping freely. Mr Cameron has been informed that speculators, at the time of writing, wore more inclined to purchase and hold than they have been for some time. They wore, nob inclined, however, to raise the prices, hut the fact of a willingness being displayed to buy will have a tendency to harden the market and so firm values. Referring to his cable advice of ruling prices, Mr Cameron says that the great range in values has naturally made it somewhat difficult to giv 0 a clear indication in his weekly cables of tho average prices ruling for mutton. With ‘"Canterbury” ranging from 4d to 2jjd it was somewhat difficult to strike a fair average.. About 3Jd would possibly at the time’ of writing bo a fair average quotation. Mr Cameron expresses a doubt as to whether the F'yrage price will prove satisfactory, hut knowing thafc farmers generally sell their sheep at an average price rather than at so much, according to grade, an average price should be the best guide for them when doing business. While the mutton market was dull, Mr Cameron finds pleasure in reporting that the lamb trade continued steady, and, if anything, showed a slight improve>ment. Th 0 weather was hot, and altogether favourable for its consumption. The quality of New Zealand lamb this rear had been good, hut excess in weight had been complained of. There was a scarcity of prime lambs of from 301 b to 381 b. Light prim© lambs commanded a ready sale at about 5-Id to s)d, while “heavier” wore being sold down to 4kl. Th 0 quantity being received showed an increase over those received last year, but the distribution throughout the country continued good. There was every prospect of prices keeping steady during the season, especially for the lighter weights. Beef, Mr Cameron reports, was in small demand, the weather being rather hot for its consumption. Prices were consequently lower. There was, at the fimo of writing, excellent New Zealand beef at Smithfield of prime breed and quality.