Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 6 August 1926, Page 2

In respect to the frozen meat trade the Dunedin “Star” remarks that the result of the experimental shipment of chilled beef from Australia may prove to be a momentous event in the annals of the industry, both in Australia and Now Zealand, which contries have laboured heavily under the advantage the Argentine lias had with its chilled as against our frozen beef. The experimental shipments show that perfection of carriage has not yet been obtained, bub suggests that is is attainable, and that the higher prices will more than cover the increased cost. If commercial as well as scientific success is attained it should cause a fairly prompt and very noticeable imprveinent in the outlook of our freezing works, whose total capacity is at present- so greatly in excess of the use that is made of them. In 1910 the amount of beef exported from New Zealand to Britain reached 039,084 quarters; whereas last- year’s total was just one-third of that amount. The figures of course are far more impressive as regards South America, which, in respect to heef for the past three years, sent into the United Kingdom substantially more than six million quarters. Even Australia exceeds substantially the export of New Zealand heef, which last year totalled over a million quarters, practically double tin? export sent away in each of the two previous years. Not since 1918 has New Zealand been able to exceed the Australian export. On the other hand in regard to mutton and lamb, the Dominion. holds pride of place, but South America is overhauling New Zealand rather rapidly. Jn 1921 the Dominion had an extraordinary year exporting over fen million carcases, while South America was under five million careases. But since then New Zealand has been coming hack to America, with the result that in 1920 there was only a million carcases difference, New Zealand totalling under seven, and South America under six million. At,the present time, according to latest reports, the shipping fight in regard to the South American trade has resulted in a glut of heef on the Home market, and the unpayable prices for heef have had a marked effect on the New Zealand mutton trade. But shipping troubles and the Home strike are having their effect on trade. With shipping upset, supplies arc arriving irregularly, and prices are affected, while the effect of the strike is noticeable in regard to the consumption. While these troubles are more or less transient they are nevertheless dislocating, and may seriously affect the season’s trade. Tt is clear, however, with the enormous quantities of Argentine heef going to the United Kingdom that the market is not likely to be very favorable to New Zealand beef. The matter is worthy of the closest'attention of the Meat Producers’ Board.