Taupeka Times. AND GOLDFIELDS REPORTER AND ADVERTISER. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1892. "MEASURES, NOT MEN."

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1869, 10 February 1892, Page 2

Taupeka Times. AND GOLDFIELDS REPORTER AND ADVERTISER. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1892. "MEASURES, NOT MEN."

The wlvUe history of colonial progress affords 1 1 parallel to the marvellous development of the frozen meat industry in this colony. Nothing in the whole catalogue of our successes as exporters or producers illustrates more strikingly the natural adaptation of New Zealand as|a country destined to depend for much of its material progress onu astoral industry. It is not many years ago now — not more than eight or ten — that the first effectual start was given to the industry in New Zealand; and since then its expansion in the face of great difficulties has been something to marvel at. At Home it had to overcome the prejudices of the British consumer and of the British agriculturalist, to say nothing of the opposition it received from South American exporters. We have before us a most elaborately compiled map from the firm of Messrs W. Weddel and Co., St. Helens Place, London, showing the flueruations in the value of frozen meat during the past five years (1886 to 1891), as well as the number of carcasses stored in London each week during that period. Such a table must necessarily possess great value from a statistical and industrial standpoint showing, as it clearly does, the chief means by which the colony has been able, during these half-dozen years of domestic struggle and depression to meet its engagements and float it safely over the troubles that have been experienced during that period. The first effectual start at frozen mead exportation was made in 1882, 8,839 carcasses, or 1,707,3281b5, being exported in that year. The trade since then has made its way onward by leaps and bounds, proof of which is found in the fact that last year 1,896,706 carcasses, or 110,199,0821bs were sent out of the colony to the English market. The price, too, a factor of the highest importance in considering the trade, has maintained a very good level. In 1886 it averaged 5d per lb : while last year it stood at 4f d per lb. When all the annually expanding sources of competition are considered, it will be found that this is a very good price, a tribute to the superior quality of New Zealand raised mutton; and it may now be said to have gone successfully, with flying colours, in fact, through all the severe ordeals of competition from every quarter, both in England and abroad. But even a higher price than that mentioned for last year would have been obtained were it not that supplies largely beyond the requirements of the trade were sent from the colony, with the object of securing a practical | monopoly of the handling of New Zealand and Australian supplies, the result 1 being a congestion of stocks in London, which frequently compelled importers to make forced sales. But still the price is undoubtedly good, and forcibly demonstrates the favourable position which our mutton holds among the Home consumers. It may be interesting to know the prices which the beef and mutton from the various exporting countries fetch on the London market. Last year for a stone of 81bs prime Scotch muoton averaged from 6s 6d to ss ; prime Continental mutton from 4s lOd to 4s ; prime New Zealand lamb from 3s to 2s lOd; prime American beef from 3s lOd to 3s 2d; New Zealand beef, 2s 6d to 2s; Australian mutton, 2s 2d to 2s ; River River Plate mutton, Is lOd to Is 6d. It should also be remembered that while the prices have been advancing the freights and charges have been much reduced. The rock that our trade is inmost danger of splitting on is the selfishness of New Zealand exporters. It is a grievous pity that such a danger should exist; and it is as well that New Zealand sheep-farmers should know that they are likely to have dangerous rivals in Queensland and New South Wales, where circumstances have driven the sheep-farmers into turning their attention in a very practical manner to the export of frozen meat. If our sheep-owners are wise they will, therefore, send Home in future only the yer# beat meat. If they do this they

need fear no Australian competition. If, on the other hand, they allow greed to get the upper hand of honesty and fair dealing, they will be perpetrating an injury not only on themselves but on the colony that no after wisdom or regret can succeed in remedying.