A BEEF SLUMP.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 March 1922, Page 1

A BEEF SLUMP.

AUSTRALIAN HARDLY SALEABLE. AUSTRALIAN AND N-Z. CABLE ASSOC ATION. LONDON, March 9. While Australian lamb and mutton are selling well, the market for Amtrali.il frozen beef is still deplorable, the beef being hardly saleable at 3*4. Mr Jowett interviewed states that the chief causes of the beef slump are the bad effect on the mind of the old stock, and a relentless war that is being carried on by the importers of Argentine beef, which is being sold at below co»t. ' ■’ Mr Jowett believes that a quick remedy can bo found but it entails finding a large sum of money. The remedy" he says, consists in the acceptance of the Vestey firm’s offer to relieve the British market of the whole of the old beef, amounting to 150,000 quarters, and selling the same at the best obtainable prices on the Continen . For this, lie says. Vestey’s demand a bonus of £IOO,OOO. If this sum could be found. Mr Jowett believes it would turn out a profitable investment for Australia in the long run. He is of iho opinion that the farmers and the people -of Australia ought _be made aware of the precise situation before the Government breaks off negotiations with Vestey. Mr Jowett says that the Australian producers do not realise the tembe prejudices of the people in Britain against the accumulated old beef. He points out some facts in reply to an interview in the “Yorkshire Observer, wherein the West Yorkshire butchers declared that the old Australian beef i 8 quite unsaleable in the poorest industrial areas The butchers, described it as a “poor third-rate article compared with the Argentine mutton and meat Mr Jowett says that he is personally satisfied that when properly thawed and cooked, it is not distin-o-uisihable from fresh beef. Mr Jowett also points out that a similar prejudice existed against Australian mutton and lamb last year, but as soon ns the old stocks were cleared out m January this prejudice quickly disappeared and prices rose rapidly. He beWed that similar results will folow the immediate disposal of the old beef. The enhanced prices for new shipments woul mean quickly recouping the outlay entailed by accepting Vestey s off .

N.Z. AND VESTEY’S LONDON, March 8. The Australian Press Association learns that the New Zealand GovernS' bare definitely ref— V«*f. offer as cabled on February 15th.