COMMERCIAL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 238, 2 March 1910, Page 3

COMMERCIAL.

The London manager of the British New Zealand Meat and Produce Company, Limited, has sent the following report to the Company:;—" The prospects for next year seem to me to be geting better every day. I base my opinion on the following facts:— Stocks of JSlew Zealand mutton and lamb are very low; Australian arrivals are being consumed as fast as they arrive. Australian shipments from now on are likely to be very light. Dutch consignments are much shorter and of very poor quality, not good enough to take the place of good frozen meat. We have to-day actually heard a butcher was served with some Australian lamb because he could not find Dutch meat good enough. There are shorter supplies from the Argentine, and there is an increased demand for New Zealand meat this coming season consequent upon the expansion of Ihe trade last year. I think all the foregoing facts would be generally admitted, and taking them into consideration I think it only reasonable to assume that we are assured of a better state of affairs than we was last season. During the last three weeks the frozen meat trade has steadily assumed a much more encouraging aspect. It is significant that during the arrivals of very heavy shipments from Australia —555,000 in November—the market should firm up. New Zealand lambs are getting scarce, and stocks will be practically cleared before the arrival of new season's goods. Mutton of all kinds is dearer and the demand is improving. Beef has been doing badly and prices have moved in favour of buyer*s."