The Exminer. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) WEDNESDAY, FEB, 10, 1892. FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

Woodville Examiner, Volume VIII, Issue 868, 10 February 1892, Page 2

The Exminer. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) WEDNESDAY, FEB, 10, 1892. FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

It is always interesting to see the opinions of leading colonists on the markets for New Zealand produce. On the frozen meat industry, Mr Roberts, who has just ,b.eeu Home, says : —Most people in the colony are well aware that the prices of late have been abnormally low, and have almost reached the point at which the trade becomes unprofitable ; indeed purchases in the colony during the last six or eight months must have left heavy losses. When I reached London stocks were reported to be very heavy, and, in spite of every effort made by the consignees in London, they continued to increase. When I left London I was informed that 350,000 carcases were in store, which shows unmistakably that the consumption was not by any moans keeping pace with the importations It seems somewhat strange to think that a glut could take place on such a large market as the Home one, but that nevertheless seems actually to have come to pass. The agents in London assured me that they were doing all they could to press sales, but they seemed to think that the expansion of trade on this side had been out of proportion to the increase of the demand at Home. I have no doubt that should the export remain for a few years at the same dimensions as during the past year channels of distribution in England will so expand as to absorb the increase ; but I think there is no doubt it would be unwise on the part of the shippers in New Zealand to press unduly their exports on the English market. I think growers would be acting in their best interests if they were, instead of seeking to produce quantity irrespective of quality, to rather improve their quality and simply maintain the present volume. Many consignees complain of the falling off in the quality of the mutton which is exported, and they infer from that the grower from this side has been seeking more to deal with quantity than with quality. 1 learnt since my arrival here that during the past six weeks several of the frozen meat steamers have gone to London witli no frozen meat cargo at all. This shortening of supplies must, I am sure, reflect beiLciiciaiiy on prices ; and I hope during the next month or so to hear that owing to the smaller importations, stocks in London have decreased and prices improved. I don't think that people,in the colonies can look for any very excessive price for their mutton in London, but I think if they can only he assured of anything from Id to -lid per lb. a very fait* and satisfactory trade will be done.”