MEAT PROSPECTS BRIGHTER.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 January 1933, Page 6

MEAT PROSPECTS BRIGHTER.

Hope for at least one section of the farming community is contained in recent news concerning the meat markets. Most arresting, perhaps, is the unequivocal statement by Sir Edmund Vestey that a sharp rise in the price of meat is to be expected before the end of the year. In New Zealand there are encouraging indications of a revival in the livestock markets, though to some extent the increased demand may be attributed to greater temporary requirements following the holiday inactivity. There is, however, a demand for some classes of stock for forward delivery at slightly better prices, which is indicative of confidence in the near future of the trade. Two new factors have entered into the markets. The first is the possibility of a settlement of the tariff war between Britain and Ireland as a result of the Free State election, and the second is the announcement that combines handling South American meat are about to invade the Australian market on a large scale in order to take full advantage of the trading facilities agreed upon at Ottawa between Britain and the Dominions.- Should the election in the Free State lead to a settlement with Britain and the lifting of the tariff against Irish livestock the rush of exports would probably have at least a temporary effect on prices in Britain. It may be, however, that the optimism of British observers regarding the election is a case of the wish being father to the thought. With regard to the South American “invasion,” it has not been made clear how South American exporters are to overcome the advantages given the Dominions by the Ottawa agreements. The most uncertain aspect is the extent to which South American countries will agree to restrict shipments to Britain regardless of the prices obtainable.