THE Western Star FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 1906.

Western Star, 26 January 1906, Page 2

THE Western Star FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 1906.

In an interview with a representative of the Dunedin Star, Mr Reece, the London manager of the British-New Zealand Meat and Pro duce Company, has been giving his views on the frozen meat trade, a subject of perennial interest to pro ducers. Mr Reece, who has spent two years in London, where he gave the whole of his attention to the business, has just returned to the colony to spend a few weeks' holiday, after which he will return again to the Imperial centre. In brief, the purport of his remarks was that there was nothing to be afraid of in regard to the outlook. This is eminently satisfactory and, reassuring, coming as it does, from one living on the spot. While the outlook is promising he mentioned the opinion that prices would not be so high this year as last. For this conclusion he gave no particular reason, beyond stating that "whether the supplies from New Zealand were large or small, the price of meat from this colony had its limit." One very cheering remark let fall by Mr 'Reece was that in spite of popular prejudice and other drawbacks, the New Zea land meat trade was growing. This, in th& face of competition; speaks well for those who have the control of the trade, and there is no reason why it should not far ex ceed its existing bounds. It is a matter of common knowledge that the colony's lamb trade is an established fact, and must increase in volume, because New Zealand lamb is in great favor at Home. The New Zealand producer, however, must not forget that the Australian producer is continually improving the quality of his meat, and New Zealand will not only have to follow where the same standard has not been reached, but will have to lead, or, in the language of the bicycle ring, ,'' make the pace." There must be no laggiflg behind in these days. At the present time this colony has nothing to fear, because it is " making the pace," in proof of which we quote Mr Reece's observation : " Some of the Australian lamb was very nearly as good as New Zealand's." This shows that those across the Tasman sea are doing all in their power to come abreast and eventually get in advance of us, but the conditions are against them, and so long as New Zealand producers supply the right sort of carcase, they will be in \te van.. It, is &U a nation «|

quality. Mr Reece says it is a mistake sending overfat meat, as was done last season, and attention is directed to the same mistake by other authorities. Exporters want lamb not tegs, because they have ascertained that it is not profitable to ship heavy lambs. At present the Australian lambs are in much favor, being just what are wanted—nice, well-finished, small carcases, as 'distinguished from tegs. Many Australian farmers now specialise in their business—that is, devote their whole energy to supplying the lamb market with the article required. They breed at suit able places, using largely blackfaced rams, fatten in other districts, and every week keep sending off drafts of fat stock. They are methodical, are aiming high, and must eventually reap their reward. The reputation of " Canterbury " lamb has been serious.y damaged owing to carcases being overfat and therefore wasteful, and this is a matter that requires intelligent methods to deal with. As regards the Argentine mutton, it is to be noted that its quality is continually being improved, and that country is now exporting a smaller and more useful sheep than formerly. While this is so, it is satisfactory to learn that the Argentine trade is not better organised than New Zealand's, and that it has not a superior way of placing its meat on the market, while, so Ut as bringing New Zealand meat before the people of the United Kingdom is concerned, this is being very well looked after. On the whole, the trade is in a sound position, and that means much to New Zealand.