FROZEN PRODUCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 February 1922, Page 4

FROZEN PRODUCE.

N.Z. POOLNG SCHEME.

LONDON, December 29

Frozen meat importers have, naturally, been considerably interested in the reports to hand concerning the projected pooling of New Zealand’s meat exports under a Government scheme. These reports 'have arrived by cable just on the eve of Christmas, and at a time when the market is, perhaps, showing its maximum of depression in face of the Yulctide diversions. Such has been the fall in the price of meat during the past three months that the majority of salesmen in the big markets consider that the bottom has been touched. It is time that this were so, seeing that New Zealand lambs that are anything over 421 b in weight fetch only 7d, and wether mutton rather less than 6d per lb. Forward quotations lead to a rather more hopeful view of the situation, as c.i.f. sales are reported at Bld, which indicates some confidence in the market. U.K’S MEAT-EATING CAPACITY.

There is no reason why the market should not show distinct signs of improvement in the New Year. Meat will undoubtedly be shorter as far as home supplies are concerned, so heavy have been the marketings on the early side of the winter for financial and winterfeed reasons. Then, again, the frozen meat market itself is at last getting rid of some of its great burden of oversupply, the cold stores in the different parts l>eing reported to be less full than formerly. Some have thought that the general poverty now prevailing might militate against frozen meat consumption, but there is the opposite argument to consider, namely, that national poverty is inclined to induce largeclasses on to the consumption of frozen meat, who would otherwise patronise the dearer home-killed article. It is unlikely that frozen meat consumption will dwindle in Great Britain during 1922. NEW ZEALAND MEAT IN 1922.

As regards the prospects ahead of the frozen meat trade, Messrs Gilbert Anderson and Co., the well-known frozen meat agents and importers in London, have especial word to say in their report for the past frozen meat season. The\- confess that the outlook is still very obscure. They add: Little more than half the output of New Zealand has gone into consumption, and it is more than probable that the market will go considerably lower before stocks are cleared. There is every prosj>ect of a large carry over of stocks into 1922, wnich may meet the competition of new season’s meat. Buyers have been caught so severely by the falling market that they are not anxious to enter into forward commitments.

It is to be hoped that full advantage will bo taken of the increased storage capacity in the works to regulate supplies.. Messrs Anderson in this connexion only repeat their advice of previous years. The large consumption of lamb is in the months of May, June and July', hut tile frozen mutton and lamb trade is one for all the year round, and regular supplies mean regular trade. It must lie recognised fully that when stock is in prime condition it must ho killed and frozen and the first shipment sent off promptly. As far as New Zealand is concerned these shipments should he made up to the end of March. After March it should he possible closely to estimate what the total supplies will he for the year, and from that date shipments should be made so as to equalise the supply for the remainder of the year, care being taken not to send heavy shipment of lamb to arrive in August. The prospects are good if used wisely. Business can only be retained by selling and keeping the trade on to the supplies. OPINION AT THE IMPORTING END. With regard to the attitude of frozen moat importers concerning the New Zealand Government’s meat pooling scheme, it is generally felt that this may fail to achieve what it sets out to do. The principal object is evidently to secure more profit for the New Zealand meat grower, aiid this may accrue somewhat from a more intelligent regulation of supplies. But it lias to he remembered that New Zealand is only one of the several countries exporting meat to the market of Great Britain, and the South American trade will probably be in a position to benefit more than the Dominion from any change which takes New Zealand meat out of the more direct control of the colonial importers themselves here, as the personal efforts of these members of the trade are largely responsible for maintaining the premier position which New Zealand meat lias enjoyed in the past. This latter task has become more difficult of late when quality has in some cases fallen off lamentably, as well as condition, and any arrangement which tends to stunt individual and personal enterprise on the part of shippers may also be expected to whittle away the benefits which Dominion meat lias enjoyed in the past as a result of the traditional excellence of the trade among its competitors. It is to be hoped that the modifications which may eventuate upon the first broad scheme announced may serve to leave individual enterprise that full play which is so essential to secure the best market return.