The Manawatu Herald. Saturday, December 31, 1910. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 936, 31 December 1910, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Saturday, December 31, 1910. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Asked by a Timaru Post reporter his opinion as to the possibility of New Zealand frozen mutton being admitted to the Continental markets, the Hon. T. Mackenzie said this ought to be done, because the flocks on the Continent were decreasing, and the people could not get anything like sufficient or reasonable supplies of meat. Taking Germany as an instance : Not many years ago she had 42,000,000 sheep, whereas she now had only 7,000,000. Russia had gone back to the extent of 20.000. in her flocks, while France had gone down from 32.000. to 17,000,000. If it were possible, therefore to break down the barriers and regulations of Germany, that country would become a most valuable market for frozen mutton. When, some time ago, frozen mutton was a drug on the Loudon market, the French increased their tariff from 1 to 2d per lb. fearing that, in consequence of the state of the market at Home, it might be possible to dump the meat, after paying the duty, into France at a price that would find favour with the people. Then, again, Germany had regulations which provided that the vital parts had to be left in the sheep, and it was impossible, of course, to export sheep in that condition from New Zealand. The agrarian parties were strong in both France and Germany, and it remained to be seen whether the masses could influence the Legislatures sufficiently to bring about a condition that would enable them to obtain cheap and wholesome meat from abroad. At the present time, on the Continent, dog and hcrse-flesh was common food, and big prices had to be paid for it. Reviewing the whole position, he was very hopeful regarding the future of New Zealand’s mutton and wool export trade, and the prospects would be greatly advanced if some of the Continental barriers could be broken down.