HOME MEAT MARKET.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 August 1924, Page 4

HOME MEAT MARKET.

A letter ji *.sl received hv the New Zealand Meat Producers Board from its representative on the Continent contains inti-resting informal ion relating t t tin- condition of the meat market. The letter is dated 7th. July. ]B2I, from Hamburg and contains the Billowing: - During June there was little change in the meal market, prices for live siock and the wholesale meat prices remained about the same. 'I here was a greater demand for prime quality < attic. top prices advanced considerably. A fair quality of live cattle is imported and finds its way to the larger towns inland where it is sold for imniediale .slaughter. I noti«o a greater supply of .South American frozen mutton displayed in the shops. AI ul ton l:a- never been much consumed here, probably the poor quality of the fresh killed meat has not given consumers ft chance to form proper judgment. The Argentine mutton displayed is certainly belter than much of the local stuff, but iii a long way behind New Zealand in quality. The consumer will require lo he educated a good deal yet, lief,ire he can appreciate New Zealand ; mutton and is prepared to pay it better price for it. Beef. Veal and Pork are inaittlv consumed.

The retail moat prices are a little higher on the whole than those of 1013, although tlie live-.stoek prices are less. This might be accounted for through the higher charges for rates and Taxes which all businesses have to hear.

The agrarian interests are continuing their effort* to get the import of frozen meat limited to a icriain quantity or to get a duty put upon it. i have before me a very able reply to one of tin- leading articles on the subject from which it would appear that so long :ts the present Government is in power no ehniige in the legislation which permits free import'of lrozen meat till 1D513 will take place.

Hides and Skins are improving in prices. The market "its depressed through export restrictions. Tlie recent improvement is shown in the fact that T have enquiries from dealers for New Zealand salted hides. Loudon prices could he obtained here and extra charges saved. Direct oilers from New Zea'antl should ho able to compote.

The economic condition generally is very dull still. Owing to the high discount rate and the shortage of credit many bankruptcies have taken plate. Alost of the mushroom growths that nourished during the inflation period have been weeded out. On the whole a healthier tone is coming into all business relations and it is generally expected that when tho Dawes report has come into operation the position will bo materially cased. 5 *