Our Export Produce Trade.

Hastings Standard, Issue 426, 15 September 1897, Page 2

Our Export Produce Trade.

PLAIN SPEAKING BY A GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR.

[By Telegraph.]

(Per Press Association.)

Wellington, This day

Mr Cameron, the Government Inspector of Produce in Loudon, reports on August 6th that the New Zealand sheep coming forward are not suitable for trade and River Plate sheep are going into consumption. What are wanted are carcases from 50 to 60 lbs, not 701bs or over. The Inspector says it is very disappointing year after year to supply information and find no trouble is even taken to act upon it. Year by year the wholesale prices get lower and the demand does not increase. Far more energetic measures will have to be taken in New Zealand if we want to keep the trade. Lambs also are much tpo heavy and are being sold in the West End as the finest English mutton.

Respecting butter, Mr Cameron says the great thing wanted is regularity in shipment. The losses through this have been enormous. Even if freight were higher butter ought to be shipped by the regular mail steamers and not by the cargo boats. Owing to the American competition the price of cheese is not expected to be nearly so high this season. The Inspector complains of the manner in which the May produce was handled in London. No attempt was made to secure the meat against the effects of the weather. To his suggestion to put an awning over the place where the work was going 011 he was told that it was impossible. The mutton was landed on the wharf and laid on hot concrete, then wheeled in barrows to ike barges,