NEW ZEALAND BUSINESS.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13315, 16 January 1912, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND BUSINESS.

Reporting on the market for frozen meat last year, Messrs Gilbert Anderson and Co., London, state that ' the year's operations cannot be considered satisfactory, either from the point of view of the grower or "the shipper, or yet from that of the buyer and distributor at Home, many factors having disturbed tho smooth course of business. The shipments of Canterbury lamb constituted over fifty per cent of the lamb shipped from New Zealand, and the course of the market was very unsatisfactory until May, when the price dropped to the lowest point, 4 o-16d. From that date it was realised that while tho shipment for March had been large thero was nothing to warrant such low prices. The market steadily recovered until od to osd was established. It is clear, the firm state, that there was an entire absence of foresight in judging the position and prospective supplies. From some cause or another the absence of business methods, and some slight regulation in shipments, hundreds of thousands cf lambs were sacrificed at a loss to the grower of something like id to }d per lb. The quantity and quality of Canterbury mutton are reported to. be steadily declining. Sheep bearing this brand appear oil tho market having none of the characteristics of what is recognised as Canterbury mutton. The demand for high class mutton still continues, but the irregularity of supplies of good quality makes trade difficult. The regular grading of the C.F.M.C. has brought this brand into the first place, and earned tho confidence of the trade.

Surveying the season's operations in New Zealand lamb, the report says it is to be regretted that shipments wero not somewhat delayed by a month. If it had been possiblo to havei held back in the works 100,000 to 150,000 lambs of the March shipment and divided them over the three following months better prices would have been obtained, and much storage charges saved in England. The large consumption of lamb is in the months of May, June, and July, but there is a trade in New Zealand lambs all tho year round.

The prices for North Island mutton wore most irregular early in tho seaspn, shortage of supplies forcing trade on to River Plates. It was not until the end of September that the usual margin over River Plates was regained, tho prices of North Island then being 3Jd to 3 15-16 d, River Plates 3 9-16 dto 3Jd. Prices have since further advanced to 3Jd and 4Jfd. The absence of stocks of. New Zealand mutton may cause a repetition of the above. As New Zealand meat is a regular article of consumption, the advantages of constant supplies in proportion to tha varied monthly demand should he patent to all. It is somewhat surprising thatfull advantage is not taken of refrigeration as a means of holding and storing at place of origin. The total shipment of Now Zealand mutton for the season was 1,823,500 carcases, as against 1,992,000 carcases for the previous 12 months. The largest monthly shipment was in May of 266,000, nnd the smallest in October, of 9000. By comparison with previous years very satisfactory business was done to the West Coast ports of England. Bristol, Liverpool and Glasgow, bui labour troubles resulted in great loss of trade. Little progress was made with tho opening of the Continental markets. Small quantities only have [ been taken by Italy, Switzerland and Portugal. Trade with ■ Austria has virtually stopped. The opening of Continental markets, and tho removal of unnecessary restrictions lies with ■the various governments of the producing countries.