11

f1.—28

staining through partial thawing, and other allied defects. The result of such damage to our meat is to make it compare unfavourably with that from other countries, and it has, moreover, the effect of causing loss to the producer, not only on account of any decline in market value consequent on the damage, but by the fact that it leads to insurance claims being made and allowed, and naturally a proportionately high premium has to be paid by the shipper in NewZealand. There are numerous and varied causes contributing to this damaged condition, some of them being as follows : Sorting in the hold, associated with the multiplicity of marks and numbers and small parcels sent from New Zealand; the breaking-up of consignments after arrival into lots for delivery to various destinations; method of stowage, leading to delay in completing orders; the fact that most of the meat lias to be stored at a distance from the docks, thus entailing double handling; exposure to weather during discharge; general rough handling. It does not seem possible to point to any one circumstance as being the cause of the damage; it yvould appear to be rather the result of a combination of circumstances, some of which, under existing conditions of discharge and handling, cannot be eliminated. In view of the wide interest taken by meat-growers, I venture to summarize some figures which will be of interest to them :— Table showing Imports of Refrigerated, Meat from All Sources for the Years 1910, 1911, 1912. and for the First Three Months of 1912 and 1913. Mutton and Frozen Chilled Lamb. Beef. Beef. 1910 .. New Zealand ... ... ... 5,407,470 344,048 Australia ... ... ... 4,219,01.2 533,598 3,844 South America ... ... ... 3,353,726 1,484,841 1,593,181 Total... ... ... 12,980,208 2,362,487 1,597,025 1911 ... New Zealand ... ... ... 5,223,783 165,598 Australia ... ... ... 3,611,051 520,345 South America ... ... ... 4,125,350 1,522,845 2,152,026 Total... ... ... 12,960,184 2,208,788 2,152,026 1912 ... New Zealand ... ~.. ... 5,495,251 157,853 Australia ... ... ... 2,883,505 732,781 South America ... ... ... 3,603,378 1,806,067 2,221,659 Total... ... ... 11,982,134 2,696,701 2,221,659 First 3 months New Zealand ... ... 973,114 17,836 of 1912 Australia ... ... 1,284,809 14,799 South America ... ... ... 1,061,045 375,901 468,253 Total... ... ... 3,318,968 408,536 468,253 First 3 months New Zealand ... ... ... 1,045,240 20,455 of 1913 Australia ... .... 1,443,822 ' 110,340 South America ... ... ... 950,718 , 472,106 574,879 Total... ..." ... 3,439,780 602,901 574,879 The foregoing figures show that, reckoning frozen supplies from all sources, there was a decrease of almost one million carcases of mutton and lamb in 1912 when compared yvith the imports of the previous year. This decrease, combined with other factors, tended to maintain prices at a high level throughout the year, and prevented any accumulation of stocks, the last factor resulting again in the maintenance of satisfactory prices during the first three months of the present year. During 1912 there were various circumstances which influenced the prices of frozen meat: the Home supply yvas smaller than, normal owing to the bad season; foot-and-mouth diseases reduced the supply considerably, as imports from Ireland were stopped; and the unsettled state of labour had its influence on the markets, both beneficial and otherwise. With those disturbing factors fluctuations in prices were only to be expected, and the weekly returns show that these occurred. North Island lamb in January, 1912, commanded s|d. per pound; during the dock strike in June it rose to 6fd., and then gradually decreased until in November it stood at about s|d.; another rise then ensuing on account of rumoured labour troubles in New Zealand. Canterbury lamb showed similar fluctuations, opening in March at 5Jd.-sfd., touching 7d. and 7Jd. in June and then gradually falling to sfd. in October, rising again slightly towards the end of the year. Mutton and beef have also fluctuated very much in price : North Island mutton has ranged from 3fd. to 4jd., and Canterbury from 4Jd. to 4fd. per pound; fore quarters of Neyv Zealand beef from 2|d. to 3|d., and hind quarters from 3|d. to 4|-d.