TEE NEW ZEALAND PRODUCE TRADE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2404, 29 March 1900, Page 15

TEE NEW ZEALAND PRODUCE TRADE.

WELLINGTON, March 20.

Mr Cameron, the New Zealand produce representative, writing from London on February 9, states that pleasing reports continue to be received from Scotland and elsewhere as to the appreciation of the colony's dairy produce, and the only fault appeared to be that sufficient supplies of cheese and butter could not be obtained. Glasgow merchants, he says, are all anxious to handle New Zealand goods direct. The feeling against New Zealand butter owing to its dark colour is dying out, consumers recognising that this is owing to the richness of the pastures and the excellence of the climate. He says he was disappointed with the condition of the New Zealand meat trade in Scotland, •which is not increasing since his report 18 months ago, while the trade in River Plate mutton is increasing enormously. He found that no effort was being made to push the sale of New Zealand meat there, and he regrets that his previous representations in advocating the opening up of this important market have not received the attention from New Zealand producers that they should have. In this connection he says: — " It the New Zealand meat trade is allowed to drift as it has been doing sfor a long time, and if what ought to bo everybody's business is nobody's business, I dread it will become more and more unsatisfactory as years go by."

Referring to dairy produce, Mr Cameron coneiders that the prices realised for butter this eeason must be considered satisfactory. The enormous increase in the imports of butter for the season ending January he shows by the •following table, given in cwts: — Australia: 1897-8, 101,110: 1898-9, 130,512; 1899-1900, 232,785. New Zealand: 1897-8, 31,038; 1898-9, 22,960; 1899-1900, 49,531. Canada: 1897-8, 53,461; 1898-9, 118,398; 1899-1900, 145,785. He l-efors in high praise to the quality of New Zealand butter, and says : " One large buyer told me a few days ago that if the quantity of * choicest ' butter coming from New Zealand ■was as great as from Australia so that he could always obtain full supplies, he would buy no other." However, he says there are some colonies whose butter does not give this satisfaction, and there appears to be a tendency on •the part of some shippers to make their boxes for butter of rather lighter material than foratnerly, which he considers a pity. He suggests ihat the 561b package should become general, »nd recommends an oblong box in preference to a cube.

Referring to cheese, he reports that the arrivals from New Zealand met with ready sales at exceptionally good prices, an average of 58s Tbeing realised. At the same time he points out certain examples of the harmfulness of irregularity. Mr Cameron goes on to say that there is very great room for improvement in the style of cheese cases. While some are very neat and "'of the proper size, others are rough and un-finished-looking, and a few too wastefully large. He thinks, if the cost be not too great, that light Jhoopiron is preferable to wire for wiring the 'cases.

As" to the London market for imitton and Jamb, these continue depressed, but for beef there is a good demand at fair prices. In order [to prevent buyers going on to New Zealand imutton, the Eiver Plate holders have occasionAlly given way Jd per lb when thought necessary. 'As to lambs, the heavy arrivals from Australia, together with those from New Zealand, held fe HJSM from last season, have depressed the

, market. There has, he says, been very litt'e 1 damaged meat received for some time, and the Tekoa's cargo, despite her long detention owing to an accident at Staten Isbnd, arrived ,in fine condition. He concludes : ' Although the stores in London are so full that it is difficult to obtain space for the meat that is now arriving, and the discharge of vessels is, therefore, greatly retarded, there are many cold air i stores throughout the country with ample accommodation for all requirement? if they were only utilised. Agents hero, however, are "averse to storing in these chambers, as they say there is no demaud for New Zealand meat in the ! localities in which they are situated, and so they could not afford to pay railage from the vessel to them. I feel, however, that while this is trae, if advantage were taken by agents of these stores that in all probability the fact of the meat being on the spoi there might be the means of the demand they say is wanting being brought about. Of course this point bzings up ngain the question of distribution, to -wheh, I have so often referred, and, a3 I have repeatedly said, agents are not sufficiently interested in the welfare of New Zealand meat to go beyond the limits of their present business arrangements i'or the purpose of attempting improved distribution."