THE LONDON MARKET.

Otago Witness, Issue 3006, 25 October 1911, Page 16

THE LONDON MARKET.

PRODUCERS' ASSOCIATION REPORT. Mr E. J. Shelton, Home representative of the New Zealand Producers' Association, writing to the local secretary (Mr l£. C. Jack), refers as follows to the London market': The strike matters having settled down" for the moment, business has recovered its normal state, with the prospect, .if nothing untoward happens, prices will result in a steady advance from now until the arrival of the next season's shipments, as the exceptionally dry summer must have an effect on the quantity of Home meat available. The distributing factor of the value of second-class meat is the immense quantities of South "American drilled beef which is forced on the market here at present, and being chilled only makes it necessary thatb it must be quitted. The general impression here is that tho quantity of this meat being forced on the market is the result of competition between the American Trust people and some other large concerns in the Argentine, and that this position will bo continued until this extreme rivalry is ended. Distinctive Brands' Needed.— Prime New Zealand lamb and best prime New Zealand mutton of about 481 b to 651 b weight are, and will be, always wanted rfere, as long as -they can be landed and delivered in good order, and until all the works can combine and grade up to a regular standard I would suggest that each individual works should- specially grade their best lambs and sheep and snip same under a distinctive brand, using another brand for any meat sent that is not first class. There is as much difference in the qualities in a mob of sheep as there is in No. 1,2, or 3 sugar, or any other goods, and if the best is properly sorted out and branded this-meat will increasingly find its way into consumption where it does not at present get, and all round value will steadily improve. I would suggest such bags and labels should bo printed with the brand selected, which should be short, distinct, and suggestive, together with the grade, number letter or weight, such as " Eclipse," ' ' Rose," " Thistle,'' " Daisy.'' Freezing-work names.—

I would suggest that the various freezing works should be named as " Taruheru," " Tomoana," " Waingawa," " Turanganui," etc., instead of " The Gisborne Farmers' Freezing C 0.," etc. It will assist to realise actual value for meat if butchers ai-e not informed on the labels whether it is North Island or South Island meat, as they are at present.

! The more constant supply there is of a : popular good articlo the better, and for this purpose a number of works -working I together producing th© same- brand of -equal quality would be better than each producI ing on it 3 own, end, of course, if all the works would grade to a uniform quality tind have one identical brand, it would be best, but that cannot bo hoped for yet. ■ A new brand escites curiosity and! interest at once, and if it is a guarantee of quality will be profitable. For such quality sheep and lambs I should strongly urge the use of the double bag, even if .it is not accepted for all sheep and lambs.