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Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2535, 9 October 1888, Page 2

Nothing can be more satisfactory to the people of this colony than the continued improvement in the prices of New Zealand frozen meat in the English markets. The tastes of the consumers at Home incline with greater favour to the moat from this colony, and for some time back our advices have informed us that New Zealand mutton has been selling in London as high as ojd per pound, and beef at from 4d to s£d. These prices, there is every reason to believe, will be maintained. The state of this staple export is of the utmost importance to the colony's prosperity, Growers throughout the two islands are to be congratulated on what is to them a matter of very great consequence, and we are not surprised at the activity displayed by those in the South to (ill up all the direct steamers with complete meat freights. It shows that they place the right value on tho trade and mean to keep as large a hold upon it as they can. The graziers and shippers of this province must stir themselves with greater energy if they desire to share with the South in the good fortunes that the improved state of the frozen meat trade has brought to the colony. They must show equal enterprise on their part, otherwise they will (ind themselves shut out from all participation in the benefits derivable from direct shipments to London. In a late issue we published particulars of an offer from the New Zealand Frozen Meat and Storage Company to arrange for the laying on of a direct steamer at Auckland, if a full cargo of meat could be guaranteed. Farmers have been very slow to move in the matter; but, we are pleased to learn, however, that sufficient freight has been guaranteed to induce a steamer to come to Auckland. It would have been better if we could have announced that the full quantity of freight, and more, would be forthcoming, and that the Auckland province intended to make a determined ell'ort to maintain a permanent export' trade in future. 'J his may yet he tho case, and we trust that the Tainui, which will leave Auckland early in January with a cargo of meat, will be but the precursor of many other hottoms conveying similar produce from the North for the British markets.