Frozen Meat and Produce Export Trade.

Otago Witness, Issue 2360, 18 May 1899, Page 7

Frozen Meat and Produce Export Trade.

TO THE EDITOB.

Sib, — After the experience of some 20 odd years of the frozen meat export trade it speaks little for the business acumen of our exporters to sea the way they permit and have permitted their goods to be handled. Many of our representative leading men have gone Home to rectify the disabilities, but none seem to have been successful in improving the conditions of this very important branch of New Zealand's exports. Has the time not arrived when the assistance of the Government should be enlisted to foster and support this important factor in our colony's future by making it a national business? — to arrange so that all consignments go to one hand (i.e., the New Zealand Government agent or agents), who alone will have the sale and disposal of said consignments, and thus do away with the insensate competition 'now existing, and playing into the hands of the astute meat salesmen, who have in the past so far successfully worked th.c oracle to their own aggrandisement, but with poor results to producers and shippers. Our large shipping companies have built first-class steamers for the trade, and, in. view of regular fortnightly shipments, the hitherto disastrous effects of too many shipments arriving at one time, overstocking the markets, succeeded by a shortage of shipments, will be avoided, and something like a steady market assured. Past experience has taught us only the primest mutton, lamb, or beef pays to export, and it seems cruel to lead of the poor price our choicest meat is often sold at, enhancing cost to the colonial consumer, who has to pay actually more for the culls and inferior quality than our kinsmen 14,000 miles away do for the very pick of our flocks and herds.

The State has done much for this one class — i.e., the pastoralists, settlers, and farmers, — why not go one better and assure a paying market? It reads very jarringly to see Homekilled meat, intrinsically no better, if as good, sold at double the price we have been compelled to accept for our equally good meat, after all the heavy charges. So long as our meat or perishable products go for sale to so many .hands, presumably drawn against and rushed on the market to cover the drafts, so long will the British meat salesmen fatten and buy at his own price.

Hoping these lines may make some agitation, resulting in good to all concerned, I leave the matter. Everyone must admit the business has not been run on fAir or proper lines, and that after 20 years' phlebotomising it is time we saw a change. Someone may be able to suggest improvements. Great care ;-eems now taken to ship only the best grade of all produce, and we should insist on a corresponding price. The low price of cereals this year seems to point that graingrowing alone must not be depended on, but that judicious mixed farming, stock-raising, aud dairying offer best inducements. — I am, etc.. May 9. Speed the Plough. A lighthouse of bamboo has been built in Japan. It is said to have great power of resisting the waves, and does not rot like ordinary wood.

Advice to Mothers! — Are you broken in your rest by a sick child suffering with the pain of cutting teeth ? Go at once to a chemiut and get a bottle of Mra Winslow's Soothiko Syrup. It will relieve the poor sufferer immediately. It ia perfectly harmless, and pleasant to the taste; it produces natural, quiet Bleep by relieving the child from pain, and the little cherub awakes "as bright as a button." It soothes the child, it toftens the gums, .allays all pain, relieves wind, regulates the bowels, and is the best known remedy for dysentery and diarrhoea, whether arising from teething or other causes. Mrs "Winslow's Soothing Syrup is sold by medicine dealers everywhere at Is lid per bottle.— Advx