FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 64, 18 March 1915, Page 5

FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

THE SHORTAGE OF SHIPS. Per Press Association. Auckland, March 17. Such is the stagnation of the frozen meat trade that the big freezing works at Southdown have been closed down for the whole of this week. The steamer Rotorua is about to load 10.000 carcases for London, but this is only equivalent to three days’ output from Southdown. In a day or two the Karamea is to arrive and load 12.000 carcases, and the Pakoha is due on April sth to take 18,000 carcases. As a result of this inadequate supply of ships, the works of the Auckland Farmers’ Freezing Company will only operate for about thirty days in two mouths. An interesting development baa occurred in connection with the arrangements for facilitating the payment of farmers who desire to sell stone in Auckland district. It is that a circular is being issued by the Freezing Company, offering to finance individual farmers between the time of delivery of stock to the works and the issuing of cheques by the British Board of Trade meat supply branch. The company has realised the serious consequences which would probably result to small holders of stock if they had to wait, say, six or eight weeks for payment. The Auckland Freezing Company, unlike some of the companies in the South Island, does not make a practice of buying the stock which passes through its works. Hence-the need for special arrangements in the present case.

ACTION BY NORTH CANTERBURY FARMERS.

Christchurch, March 18. A manifesto issued by the executive of the North Canterbury Execmive of tiio Fanners’ Union, dealing with the frozen meat trouble, says that after comparing what it considers fair values with the prices given by the exporters, it is of opinion that farmers are being exploited, and the manifesto makes a strong appeal to Canterbury fanners to hold their stock firmly for advanced prices. If the farmers decline to accept less than 6Jd for prime lambs, the export buyer must either give the farmers that price or he cannot carry out his contract to fill the space with the freezing companies. If the exporter cannot till fife space, then the space will he left for the farmers, and they will then secure the prices for lambs which they ask.