Frozen Meat Trade.

Manawatu Herald, 28 June 1894, Page 2

Frozen Meat Trade.

Mr A.. Towers, of South East Tower, Bmithfield, London, E.C., reports under date of 18th May, 1894. Heavy arrivals of Colonial Meat have been received during the past four weeks, adding to the accumu* lated stocks' Ihe abnormal supplies have had the effect of causing a steady and continuous decline in values. Importers are doing their utmost to press ' sales in. various directions with a view of diminishing stocks, but the suddenness ot the arrival cf the immense supplies does not assist this, and what increased trade has been experienced is the result of the acceptance of lower rates. The spring weather has been remarkable, and is favourable for a good hay crop, which will assist farmers to retain their live stock for feeding^ In Mutton there is an supply of all grades 6t New iSq&i&B.. - The low price (2/5) which is being accepted for good brands such. as the Southland, shows the great deprecia* tion in values compared with thoee of a few weeks ago. Holders are not firm and in some quarters ace not sufficiently firm in view of some falling off in the supplies coming on. Canterbury- grades are ? al^o showing a disposition to a. further" decline. Australian mutton is very low, the competition between various firms for the sale ot their stocks being very keen. It is probable with the - forthcoming supplies of this class of . mutton and those from the River Plate that low rates will rule all. through the summer. Lambs. — This trade has been

disappointing so far, holders pressing Bales without any regard to their cost. As so much mutton and lamb are now bought to arrive, the buyers would be supposed to hold as firmly as possible, but this doa3 not appear to be borne out by experience. Beef — Large supplies of American chilled beef have been marketed and rsold almost as low as frozen beef. The consignments of the latter ex ' " Waikato," " Perthshire," and the " Duke of Argyll," are consequently being moved only at a slow rate and prices have receded con' siderably. This is very disappointing to shippers, who again experi' ance the •'down" as well as "up" tendency of the values of beef heve, largely owing to the intermittent and irregular arrivals, which for r many months past have been either too light or too heavy. The present quotations are — Mutton — New Zealand, best North Canterbury, 2/8 to 2/9 per 81bs ; medium and good grades, 2/5 to 2/7. Australian and Queensland sheep, 1/7 to 1/9. Lambs— Best North Canterbury, 3/8 to 3/4 ; other brands, 3/- to 8/2. Bekf— Queensland, hind quarters, 2/- to 2/1 ; fore quarters, 1/G to 1/8.