NEW ZEALAND PRODUCE IN LONDON. WELLINGTON, November 23.

Otago Witness, Issue 2437, 28 November 1900, Page 16

NEW ZEALAND PRODUCE IN LONDON. WELLINGTON, November 23.

Mr Cameron, Government produce inspector in England, writing under date October 18, sa y 3: — '• Though there was a better tone in the meat market, and prices, especially for mutton, had improved, there had not been a brisk demand. The growing feeling that stocks were going to be short, and that shipments from New Zealand for some time would be light, had been the cause of hardening. Stocks were also reported to have got into the hands of a few strong holders." Mr Cameron considers that prices will continue to harden, for some time. The Frozen Meat Association have taken up "the question of damage to cargoes on deck and subsequent to dischaige, and are endeavouring to bring about an improvement of the present method. , There was a better tone, also, in the dairy produce market. The demand for colonial produce was almost keen, and prices had risen weekly by a few shillings pel cwt. There was sure to be a good demand for New Zealand 'butter of this season's make. As to the proposal to set up a committee in London to control prices of colonial butter, Mr Cameron is of opinion that little good will result from the agitation, owing to the objection of merchants .and speculators, who resent being ruled by any committee, and prefer to sell in the Home market as sviits themselves. He thinks that good might result from the formation of a committee if all New Zealand's butter were sent on consignment for sale on producers' account by one or two agents, whose interest it would be to fix prices and establish a reputation for the particular brands they handle. Writing from London under date October 18, Mr Cameron, produce commissioner for the New Zealand Government, says: — "The hemp market is a particiilarly sensitive one,- and this is at present most noticeable, for whereas at the beginning of the month those holding stock*

5 - i were anxious sellers, now all are holding for higher rates. At auction sales last week the offerings of New Zealand hemp were only small. > These realised £1 per ton more than the price ; on the previous week, while this week there ; were no lots of New Zealand hemp catalogued. Transactions made privately have been effected at another £1 advance ; £19 per ton is now the / price ruling for good fair Wellington grade." j