EXPORT OF PRODUCE AND MEAT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2561, 15 April 1903, Page 25

EXPORT OF PRODUCE AND MEAT.

LARGE AND STEADY PROGRESS.

WELLINGTON, April 7.

The statistics of the exports of dairy produce and meat for the year nded 31st March are just to hand from the Government statistician. They show, as has been' foreshadowed from time to time by Ministers in recent addresses in different parts of the country, that the exports of these departments are increasing by leaps and bounds. The exports of T lamb for the month of March constituted a record for the colony, the value of the carcases sent out of the colony amounting to £255,378, as against £142,932 for the corresponding month of 1902. The same comparison is shown in almost every department of dairy and meat exports. Butter last month was 27,230cwt, valued at £128,580, as against 26,025cwt, valued at £118,117; cheese — 12,040cwt, valued at £30,722, against 10,778cwt, valued at £22,360 ; beef — 15,657cwt, valued, at £21,120, as against 18,289cwt, valued at £20,996 1 mutton (carcases) — 169,415cwt, valued at £201*762, as against 101,188cwt, valued at £103,460; mutton (legs and pieces) — 10,416cwt, valued at £11,945, as against 8491cwt. valued at £9119. In the aggregate the dairy produce export for the month of March shows an increase of. £18,825 over March of last year, and the meat export figures show an increaae of £211,698, or about 75 per cent. The total exports from our dairies and pastures in March, 1902 were £+18,984. Last month they were £649,507. The figures for the last nine years show a great development in the exports. Since 1895 the exports have increased as follows : — Butter, from £263,244 to £1,269,676; cheese, from £160,383 to £175,903; beef, from £33,554 to £323,711; mutton (carcases), from £991,165 to £1,466,000 ; mutton f.egs and pieces), from £56,992 (in 1900) to £108,781; lambs, from £259,816 to £1,048,115. The butter and cheese exported in 1888 was worth £197,170 ; in the year just ended it was worth £1,445,579. The meat exported In 1888 wa3 valued at £628,800; last yeai its value was £2,946,607. The total exports for the year ended 31st March were: — Cwt. Value. Butter 263,137 £1,269,676 Cheese 74,393 175,903 Beef 251,640 323,711 Mutton (carcases) 1,252,803 1,466,000 Mutton (legs and pieces) 93,209 108,781 Lamb 667,472 1,048,115 OUR RIVAL, THE ARGENTINE. One of the circumstances which handicap New Zealand produce competing in the same market as that from Argentine is that the latter enjoys a scale of shipping freights. The matter has been inquired into by the New Zealand Produce Commissioner in London, and his report to the Agentr-general . has now reached the Department of Industries and Commerce. Mr Cameron says : " There does not appear to be any definite rate fixed— that i 3 to say, there is no agreedupon contract entered into between the River Plate freezing companies and the shipping companies as there is in New Zealand. The charge is the same performed for all clasees of frozen meat, mutton, lamb,

and beef. ,It yaries slightly, • according. f» the supply and .demand ~of ijoth freight. and shipping. Should "there happen to be a large output of meat waiting shipment and a scarcity of freights, rates would be firm., On the other hand, when supplies are shorfe and vessels plentiful they would be lower 1 , from a halfpenny to five-eighths of a penny* per pound, according to the type of boaJ and distance up the river in the Argentine! where the loading takes place, is ihe usual charge. Consideration is also given when/ fixing freights to the combination of ports in this country at which the discharge is to be effected. I am also informed that ship-) pers, who, of course, are few in munbei' and in a large way of business, often charter vessels for a- time, load them as suits theiq purpose, and send them where desired. While these charges are .quoted as being 1 , those prevailing in the River Plate meas trade, it must not, be forgotten that such* firms as Nelson and Sons (Limited) and' ihe River Plate Meat Company (tiimited) .own their own boats. The charge for freight-on, butter is five-eighths of a penny per pound_ on the , net weight delivered in London, Southampton, or Liverpool." The Department of Commerce and Industries has received a copy of a report made to the Agent-general by Mr Cameron, New Zealand Produce Commissioner : in London, v with reference to the distribution of New Zealand and River Plate .meat \ in England. Mr Cameron say;s that thought New Zealand sent 38,892-' more carcases-?of mutton in 1902- khan in 1901, the consignments came to hand with great irregularity. For tlie first seven months' of the year the nUu-bors received each month from New Zealand were_ satisfactory. Then during the following two 'months shipments were doubled; but during the last' qnarter. of ihe year the supplies received were not nearly sufficient to meet the ordinary market demands. When New Zealand shipments fell off those from the River Plate were increased, and opportunity taken of pushing sales in channels formerly open to New Zealand. Prices were kept moderate, and every means used to induce retailers who had previously handled New Zealand mutton co substitute River Plate. Several markets were greatly deveioped in this way. .Mr Cameron goes on to say that the methodsof River Plate shippers are on sound business lines — a strong contrast to those of New Zealand. Unless the latter makes drastic changes she will fall behind.