MANAWATU.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10768, 14 May 1913, Page 2

MANAWATU.

rFBOM Ou» CoRRESFOXDKNT.] 1 May 8. Of quite recent years the export meat trade has taken some devious turns and the "side lines" indulged in by dealers are as interesting as they are profitable. This thought is provoked by the very keen competition which is dow witnessed at almost every sale in the Manawatu for the once-despised bull of uncertain pedigree. His lord-ship-may have been monarch of all he surveyed on the farm, but he was a drug on the market, and was nearly always difficult to quit. Now, however, thai sight of a bull in the ring is the Bignal for sharp bidding. Indeed it is noticeable that' in many cases the animals are not allowed to get so far as the ring but are snapped up by bull dealers before they have been well yarded. The rapid growth of the boned beef trade is responsible for the unaccustomed popularity of bulls of uncertain antiquity and obscure parentage. Of late years the demand for a class of food that the New Zealander would turn from in disdain has created quite a thriving -trade in this special hire- Glasgow is said to be the destination of most of the meat. The thousands of poorer class workmen in Scotland's' busiest centre are credited with palates which are partial to the strong flavour of the "-boned beef," and the fact that it does not need the same care in handling or preparation combined with the profits attached to sueh a class of trade has brought it info favour with many dealers. One well-known Manawatu buyer is said to be going into the business in a big way next year and at present there are quite a number of dealers operating on the market. It is said that ouite a inumher of ancient animals of the other sex also find their way in the same form to the same market.

Among other interesting side lines Which thrive in this district is the trade in calves to Canada. One firm has established quite a considerable business in frozen calves and the dis-

tinctive thing about this line is that.the animals are frozen in their skins, the only process through which they go being that of disembowelling. Evidently the Canadian, with typical American cnteness, finds that he can make prfitable use of the by-products and at the same time present the meat fco&his customer in a more taking condition when it has been freshly skinned. TThen it has been whispered that the accommodating dealer is endeavouring to suit the German weakness for another olass of meat and at the same time add a little more to the value of that useful servant of man, the horse. No ! definite information is available on this point, but it has been stated on gdod authority that numbers of old animals have lately been bought and frozen in their skins for shipment to the Fatherland. This statement lacks

confirmation, and at the same time it is/doubtful whether such a trade would be allowed by the authorities, hut it to offer a handsome return for tlfe enterprising individual who takes it-up. Eggs are very scarce in this district itist now, and it would seem as if the inhabitants of the barnyard had caught tb# prevailing epidemic among primary producers, of which class they may well be'considered not an unimportant section. But; the strike appears to be general, for housewives all over the dominion are bewailing the prohibitive price of eggs. Possibly there is no falling off over previous years, but the pinch is being felt much more keenly, and this may be due to the extension of the influence of egg circles. These excellent institutions—from the poultry farmers' been very active in the Wellington province this year and.their system of pooling has enabled members to sell to.the best advantage. A larger proportion of export eggs has meant a diminution in pifceerveds and this in turn having created a bigger demand for fresh the price has gone np, and 2s 8d is a commoo quotation in these parts.