BACON AND HAMS.

Waipa Post, Volume XXIV, Issue 1419, 23 October 1923, Page 5

BACON AND HAMS.

DEMAND FOR AUSTRALIA. (By Telegraph. —Press Association.) AUCKLAND, Monday. The advance in the price of bacon and hams and to the high figures being paid for pigs is reflected in Australia, as a report from the Commonwealth states that supplies over there are shorter than vvas expected, and, what may in the future affect prices here, that heavy purchases had been made in New Zealand of hams for Australia. Reports have been prevalent that buying for Australia was going on in New Zealand, and that contract's had been entered into for future delivery, and this would seem to point to the possibility that a lot of hams will again be sent across to the Commonwealth this year from New Zealand. The consumption of hams and bacon has increased considerably since the price of eggs was reduced. This has always been a factor, in the market for hams and bacon. When eggs are dear many people seem to cut bacon and hams out of the menu at home, and as soon as the price drops to somewhere in the vicinity of one penny each, then a brisk demand sets in again. With Australia still on this market, and a reported shortage of pigs, it is by no means certain that the price of hams and bacon may not again advance before Christmas. The new season is now opening and curers are offering high prices for pigs. The bacon now being made should be ready to meet the Christmas demand. During the vacation a lot of bacon and ham is taken away by boating parties, so that the sales towards the end of the year are much heavier than at the present time. The outlook is that ham and eggs may be a luxury this Christmas.