THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1912. WOOL AND FROZEN MEAT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 10716, 8 October 1912, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1912. WOOL AND FROZEN MEAT.

There is every indication that the ! markets tor wool and frozen moat will bo high during the coming season. So far as the former product is concerned, there is likely to bo a keen demand from the United States, where the .supply has run very short. The shortage in the Australian clip, in consequence of the drought, will be very considerable. It is estimated that between '5,000,000 and 6,000,000 sheep have been lost, wlm» the lambing is a particularly small one. The drought in Australia will also havo a serious effect upon the .frozen meat trade. It is estimated that tlioro will bo a shortage of lamb in the whole of the Commonwealth States, and. that the export of mutton will show »• very material falling-off. Owing to the high prices ruling for sheep, the export of mutton and lamb from the Argentine showed a decrease of 50,000 carcases for the half year ended June 30th. Whether this decrease will continue remains to bo seen, The probabilities arc that it will not. The Argentine has made rapid strides in recent years in the lamb trade. It is, in fact, the most formidable rival the Colonies possess. . There is a prospoet, however, of Germany and Austria admitting frozen meat in the near future. This market will undoubtedly draw heavily from the Argentine. If this should be so, the British market will depend hugely upon the Australasian States. The wet season in "England has proved disastrous to fodder, and the Home supply of beef and mutton will fall far short of the requirements. It is obvious, therefore, that the demand for New Zealand frozen meat will bo keener during the coming year than it has been for soino time past. Ifc in to be hoped that tho industrial conditions will bo such as will enable- tho wool and frozen meat to be placed upon the London market in good condition and with re-

gularity. The extra charge that has boon made for shipping will not .seriously affect the producer, providing that the prices realised re:ch anything like those anticipated. The outlook for dairy produce and flax is exceedingly bright, so that the Dominion should benefit to the extent of several millions of money during the coming season. Ono can hnrciiy realise what a good season end high I • ; ••)• -u to the people <i' Now Zealand. They mean the liberation of at least £3,000.0(10 for expenditure in developing.our resources. This, in turn, involves the employment of more labour and an impetus to all branches of trade r.rd industry. A financial stringency has, for venous reasons, been experienced during the past year. Money has not boon available as it should have been for local investment. The banks hive applied the screw in a merciless manner, and industry has been correspondingly affected. The war cloud which is hanging over Europe may affect the markets in a measure; but there are indications that tho intervention \of the Powers will avert a worldwide calamity. Meanwhile, it is encouraging to note that there is an optimistic tone in the commercial and financial institutions of New Zealand, ".ml that the bountiful season that is being experienced will be attended with a full measure- of benefit / to all sections of tho community.