FROZEN PRODUCE.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19156, 12 November 1927, Page 14

FROZEN PRODUCE.

NEW ZEALAND MEAT IN GOOD DEMAND. GERMANY AS A FOOD BUYER. (FROM OCR BMCIAL CORRESPONDENT.) LONDON, October C. For the reasons detailed in my last letter, all descriptions of mutton and lamb are more than holding their own. Butchers are glad to get what they can, even at enhanced prices. The oversea arrivals of lamb are short, not only from New Zealand, but from the other exporting countries. Even the- heavier descriptions are receiving some attention, and the demand for them is considerably better than at any other period this year. It is still a firm belief of buyers that there is going to bo a serious shortage in the closing months of the year. This view is strengthened by the well-authenticated news that the bulk of lambs available for export from Australia will consist mainly of second and third quality. One of the causes of the firmness of the mutton market is the fact that only comparatively small supplies are expected from Argentina during the remainder of the current year. The prices now pnid for mutton in the home market of Argentina are such that exports are being practically "rationed" to suit the general situation. Offerings from Australia are very light, and it is not expected that there will l>e much, if any. increase in shipments before November. The recent demand for frozen beef has somewhat fallen off, although crops and fores are in more request than hinds. Current arrivals from Australia are much heavier than they have been for a long time. It is remarkable that prime New Zealand and Australian frozen ex fores and crops are making practically the same as chilled fores from the Plate, and oven between the respective hinds there is only about Id per lb in favour of Argentine ship>ments. Further arrivals of New Zealand! porkers have found a willing market, despite competition from North America. New Zealand porkers of 60 to 1001b sell at a premium of at least id per lb over those from the United States, and New Zealand bacon pigs are also in much request. Apple Legislation. The good all-round quality and condition of the shipments of New Zealand and Australian apples this year has impelled the Canadian Federal Government to take stock of its apple exports during the season now opening. An Ordter-in-Council has been

made under which fresh fruit grown in Canada (and this means mainly apples) must not now be exported unless each car lot has been specially inspected and an export certificate issued, signed by a fruit inspector, stating that such fruit complies with all requirements of the Fruit Act. Inspection is to be made at the time of packing, but may also bo made at railway or steamship terminals, storage warehouses, pi - e-cooling plants, railway and express cars, etc. A copy of the inspection certificate is to be attached to the bill of lading or invoice. Fruit intended for export found to be below grade is to be marked down to the proper grado, or detained for repaoking or regrading. Re-inspection is provided for in the case of fruit once inspected and afterwards held in storage. Each package inspected is to be marked with a stamp suitable for the purpose. j

Germany as a Produce Buyer. In most of the recent reports on imported produce, particularly butter, cheese, and eggs, it is found that an increased or decreased consumptive demand from Germany has had an important influence on the trend of prices, one way or the other. Germany is now regaining, if she has not already regained, her pre-war importance as a buyer of overseas or transfrontier produce. For example,, when

-supplies of Danish bacon or butter are short on the British market, a frequent explanation is that Germany is bidding higher for the commodities. New Zealand is one of the exporting countries that will have to keep their eyes more and more on the German market. In the last apple and rear season many a case of New Zealand or Australian fruit found its way to Hamburg, attracted by a high level of values. New Zealand frozen meat is at present hampered in Germany by fussy selfish restrictions, but the time must come soon when Germany will open her doors to all the chilled and frozen meat she can get. Similarly, there should be increasing openings in Germany for New Zealand butter, cheese, and miscellaneous produce.

The Butter Position. The present lull in the butter market must not be mistaken for weakness. The position is one that requires careful analysis. It is now common knowledge that during the recent advance in prices most of the larger operators anticipated their requirements for some time ahead. They have now temporarily withdrawn from the market, the idea being to clear ac-

crued stocks before incurring further commitments. Meanwhile, importers are not unduly pressing for business, an o_ appear to view the position with confidence, bearing in mind the apparently sound statistical position the probable lateness, owing to adverse weather conditions, of the Australian and Argentine seasons, and the seasonal falling off in the Continental and other supplies. Recent arrivals from New Zealand have been comparatively light, amounting to only 12,000 boxes by the s.s. Mamari and Port Dunedin as compared with 75,600 boxes in the previous fortnight. So far as forward business is concerned, American and Canadian buyers appear to have called a halt for the present, but nevertheless business for September and October production of New Zealand butter has gone through at figures well above the spot parity here.

TIN DEPOSITS IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA. (8t cablx—pkzs3 associltioh—copiblßbt.j (austbaliak and k.z. cablx association) PERTH, November 11. Tho Government Mineralogist, in his report to the Minister for Mines, said that he was greatly impressed with the extent of country in the northwest, which carried deposits of tantalum and tin. The area is being increased bv new discoveries at Moolyella and 'Tabbatabba. The richest lodes of tin were known, but elsewhere working deposits, mainly alluvial, had been no more than potholed. They were of a wide extent, and it should pav in many places to work systematically on a broad face and on a large scale. One high-grade tantalum lode was being worked at Wodinga, and had produced the main supply for the whole world. AUSTRALIAN MARKETS. (BI CABLI—PRISS ASSOCIATION—COPTRIOHT.) (AVBTSAI.IAK AND K.Z CABLB ASSOCIATION MELBOURNE, November 11. ■Wheat—The market is quiet at 5s 7d to 5s 83d per bushel. Flour—£l3 10s to £l3 15s a ton. Bran—£B 10s a ton. Pollard—£B 5s a ton. Oats—4s 8d to 4s 9d a bushel. Barley—English 4s 6d to 4s 9d a bushel. Potatoes —£6 10s to £7 10s a ton. Onions —£3 a ton.