PRIMARY PRODUCE MARKETS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3889, 25 September 1928, Page 12

PRIMARY PRODUCE MARKETS.

The Annual Review of the Dominion’s wool, stock, meat, and produce markets, issued by Messrs Pyne, Gould, Guinness, Ltd., for the season 1927-28, is both interesting and stimulating. This live Canterbury firm is in close touch with New Zealand producers, and if it essays to indicate the probable trend of the demand for our staple products, we cannot but give heed. The past season we recognise as having been one of the best experienced for years for- wool, meat, and dairy produce. What of the future? Our auction sales of wool in the Dominion are growing in popularity—thanks in great measure to the manner in which the various clips are displayed for buyers’ inspection—and although some weakening in values has occurred since the close of the selling season for some grades of wool, it is anticipated that prices will firm again, as there appears no doubt that the demand for wool is overtaking the supply. In regard to meat the position is hopeful in respect to beef and pork, while as to lamb, “ broadly ..speaking,” states the Review, “ we may describe our attitude towards the future as one of qualified optimism. Local conditions are almost the exact reverse of those last year, which produced such unsatisfactory fattening results, and next season should, on present indications, produce a large crop of very prime lambs. On the other hand, while we feel that there is a great deal more stability and confidence in our principal market, w r e must remember the increasing supplies and improving quality of the lambs which our competitors are throwing into the same market. There is, of course, a possibility that new markets will he developed in North America, but this will be a slow process, and for some years to come we must continue to rely on the British market consuming most of the -very considerable quantity of meat which is now being produced for export in various parts of the world.” As to our dairy produce, says the Review, “ The immediate prospects for both butter and cheese are exceedingly bright. Sales of new season’s produce already A made indicate a strength in the market and a likelihood of a good demand at payable prices for all the butter and cheese New Zealand can produce. New Zealand has gained the title of “The Dairy Farm of the Empire,” and its right to this title is undisputed. The advances made in the production of butter-fat per cow and the improvement in the quality of dairy products has been remarkable, Although the dairy industry has in the past had its series of ups and downs, dairy farmers and merchants alike have profited ,by past experiences, and those engaged in the producing end of the business can, for this season at least, look forward to increased prosperity. This country has far to go before reaching its peak of productivity, and

if producers cannot control the prices of their exports, they, can, given the will, continue to improve both the quantity and possibly the quality of exportable produce. If, in addition, they can lessen their production costs by the adoption of modern methods of farming arable acres and by topdressing of pastoral lands, coupled with the rational feeding of fattening and breeding stock, then their occupation is to be envied.