WOOL AND MEAT.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 December 1917, Page 8

WOOL AND MEAT.

CLEARING THE STORES. From Our Own Correspondent. Wellington, Dee. 20. The Prime Minister was able to state this evening that the balance of last season's wool clip would be shipped early next month, and that he expected the whole of last season's meat would have been cleared out of the cold stores by the end of January. The position with regard to meat, having regard to the increased storage accommodation now available, is rather better than it was at this time last year. Mr. Massey is still without definite information regarding shipping prospects after January. He is disposed to take a hopeful view of the situation, but he is Encouraging additions to cold stores.

This seasons wool is now reaching the stores in large quantities, and the valuation, in connection with the Imperial purchase, is proceeding rapidly. Die Prime Minister stated yesterday that of the new season's wool 85,000 hales had come to hand and had heen vajued on behalf of the Imperial Supplies Department. The total number of bales valued under the Imperial purchase scheme has been 035.752, inclusive of last season's wool and tl>e 85,000 bales mentioned above. The payments made for this wool have amounted to £13.5(59,341. In addition the Department has d'ealt with 50,551 bales of freezing companies' wool and made advances totallinc £1.228,472. b

It is expected, Mr. Massey states, that the balance of last season's clip will be. shipped early next month. The shipment of this season's wool will then begin. ' The valuation of sheepskins is being continued. It has been arranged that from the beginning of the new year ths valuation of butchers' skins at the Auckland abattoir shall he made daily, and this system will be extended where possible.

AAith regard to dairy produce, advances totalling £454.060 have been made by the 'Department to the factories on butter, while advances on shipments to date of this season's cheese have absorbed ,€71)3,24 3>

The total payments made by the Department 011 account of the' Imperial for produce purchased j n New Zealand up to December 15 amounted to ;1M2,1f>5.224.

lhe Prime .Minister mentioned, in connection with the meat, that he expected the whole of last season's meat would lie cleared out of the freezing stores by Jie end of .Tanuary. The position, havmg regard to the increased storage accommodation now available, was good.