THE Thames Advertiser Favour to none; fear of none; justice to all. MONDAY, MARCH 2, 1896. THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

Thames Advertiser, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8367, 2 March 1896, Page 2

THE Thames Advertiser Favour to none; fear of none; justice to all. MONDAY, MARCH 2, 1896. THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

Although us a community wo arc not directly interested in the pastoral industry wc certainly are conccrned to a considerable extent in its welfare, recognising of course that its state has a general effect on colonial trade; if it prospers all parts receive a benefit, if it is checked in any one way then likewise a dcprcssinginfluencc touches all parts from the North Cape to the Bind'. As the frozen meat trade is one of the important features in con-; ncclion with the pastoral industry wc! read a few days ago with greatly perturbed feelings that Messrs Nelson Bros, had made considerable losses during the financial period ended 30th September last, and that the firm contemplated asking their meat supply contractors for a modification of the purchasing price, Wo dare say the information on this matter as it first came to hand by cable caused quite a surprise even amongst those most, mixed up in the trade,because although the London prices were not satisfao tory it was generally tl ought that the firm's previous arrangement would have mot all states of tlio market, However, such has not been the case. Messrs Ndson Eros, in a circular explaining the position give the reasons for the gradual fall of prices in the London market which luis taken place, the great law of supply and demand being at the bottom of the unfortunate decrease, \\ r e find that during the twelve months ceding 31st December, ] t S!)y, there was an increase of 1,U0.5,261i in the Sheep imported .into the United Kingdom as compared with the same p; ilo(I of 189-1 ; of this increase Now Zca.and supplied -18.1,000 sheep. Another vital reason is that the quality of our meat has deteriorated whilst that imported into England from all other countries has improved. Just to show the difference in the prices it may be mentioned that the average realised for Now Zealand mutton during the twelve months ended .'3lst, December w»s :i l-«d per lb, North Island mutton only being lib jut 2 : , ! d, while ill 189:) Now Zealand mutttou was worth about aid, and North Island slightly under that figure. The future of the trade does not look any too promising either. Hawlces' Jiay muttyn is for instance, now only soiling at !)d per lb, which considering the time of year is extremely low. It is also noticeable that there is,not a large supply on hand, and it is expected that when the shipments do arrive, in London and tlioy will all at once, the price will drop a good deal further. Nelson Bros, state in their circular that farmers will have to face the position, and realise that they cannot receive fictitious value for their stock; they will have to take 5s to 0s for wethers off the shears. That is a plica that few farmers will care to sell at. Probably many of them will try the market on thcrown account, although that will be a risky undertaking, unless they receive good terms for the freezing, shipping, etc, which may be secured by combined effort. We hope a revival in the trade will conic about during the next few mouths in aonic way, but as wc have said wc : arc none too hopeful.