Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1910. PRICES OF STOCK.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10145, 15 December 1910, Page 4

Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1910. PRICES OF STOCK.

* Settlers in the Wairarapa, are considerably agitated just now over the prie.es which are being offered for fat stock. The uncertainty of the market is always a matter of concern at this period' of the year. Prices are controlled so much by London advices, that there is a very great element of gamble in the business. The opening prices this year have been very high—higher than the most sanguine had anticipated. Tho dislocation in trade which has oe* currecl in consequence of the British elections may have a serious effect upon the market, and result in a decline in prices. On this point more may be heard in the course of a few days. Meanwhile, it is well to review the methods under which fat stock are at present being dealt with, so far as they affect breeders. Take the lamb market for an illustration. Buyers are instructed to pay a certain price for lambs. They tour the district and make offers according to their instructions. If the price be 12s 6d, they pay this without any particular concern for weight. The same price is paid for a lamb which turns the scale at 35lbs. as for one which, weighs 401bs. Is this fair io the grower? Most assuredly liot. What is wanted in this district is a fat stock market—a market similar to that at Addington—where buyers would be compelled to make their purchases according to quality and weigK. With a freezing work's in

the district, the facilities offered for such a market arc adequate. This is a matter which the farmers should seriously discuss. The present haphazard method of buying and selling is most unsatisfactory, and the sooner it is replaced by a proper market the better will it he for the producer.