Notes and Comments.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume III, Issue 130, 19 November 1901, Page 3

Notes and Comments.

0 Tb. 3 :lom3Gi.l,for p.iultry in South Africa is said to bo voui/trt keener this year than for hitherto, and repeated kxpobt. and urgenl; inquiriee are being made in this centre on behalf of Australian shippers. Only the other day an order for 3000 head per month had to declined by a local firm because of the difficulty they had encountered in the past in obtaining supplies by existing con tracts. The class of birds inquired for are boiling fowls, or, in other words, old hens in good condition. The price oftered by the Australian firm in question would have admitted of full ruling rates being paid, but the farmers showed such reluctance in coming forward with the disposal of their old stock, even when remunerative prices were offered, that the exporters are discouraged from making ooufcracts for the shipment of regular supplies to South Africa. It seams a pity that what would, really mean profitable business to farmers, breeders, and exporters should have to ba declined by the latter, inasmuch as the present demand is no meie flash in the pan, but is proved to be steadily forging ahead yaar by year—a fact that our farmers and breeders would do we'll to keep in mind. It would be quite safe to assume that if all tha boiling fowb in the South Island could be forwarded promptly they would realise full prices, if in good condition, during the nexfc few weeks, as the demand for Christmas markets as the Cape far exceeds the available supplied in Australasian centres as is evidonced by the inquiries already referred to. With the facilities afforded by the Department of Agriculture, the New Zealand farmer and breeder are placed on a better footing than their Australian competitors, who have' to pay railage and a high commission out of the proceeds of the sale of their birds, whereas the colonials get their birds railed free to the export depot, providing they are of suitable quality, and have only a [ small commission, to pay for agent's •charges. Another difficulty the poultry exporter, in common with ) other exporters, has to contend with is the uncertain arrangements for transport. As a rule, no satisfactory information can be obtained until almost, the last moment as to whether the steamer will make a call at South African ports ; and if ft is, considerable difficulty is invariably experienced in ascertaining what the precise ports are she is to visit. This is a matter that should be urgently and attentively attended to if New Zealand is to establish a profitable business with South Africa. It is also time that farmers and breeders gave more thoughtful consideration to the subject of poultry export to the big markets of the world. If they could be made to realise the immense, advantages that would accrue to them by assisting exporters in compiling orders as the one re3ently ; emanating from Australia, there is little doubt but -what their hitherto* apathetio methods would undergo a beneficial and lasting change.. The matter is worthy of their most careful attention, while the shipping companies would doubtless in the end be firmly convinced of the desirability of; effecting -improve* ments in their present syaqem < of transport of our marketable com- - moditiea. ~'''<,' "*' < '■'..