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97
Canadians themselves experience no difficulty in making their stores into Beef,
as proved by the fact that the fat cattle imported from Canada during the past
year have been better than any previously seen from that source.
This was foreshadowed in the last Annual Report, and in all probability the
movement will continue to develop. Much of the meat which is thus classed
as "Foreign" would be more correctly described as "Colonial," but none the
less it is seaborne, and our increasing dependence upon it for our food supply
cannot fail to emphasise the danger to this country in the event of war with
any great naval Power.
No doubt many of our home methods of production are obsolete, and it is
certainly worth while considering whether the State cannot in some way,
whether by State aid or otherwise, assist our farmers in the unequal competition
with the great cattle-raising countries.
The mutton trade has been fairly well supported lor carcasses of good quality
throughout the year, but large over-fat and inferior carcasses have been difficult
to sell, and have realised very irregular prices, while the low figure at which
New Zealand, Australian, and River Plate sheep can be obtained has rendered
the Market unattractive for American and Canadian sheep, which have come in
very small numbers, especially towards the close of the year. The importation
of chilled meat from the Argentine was first referred to in 1902, and has since
increased, until in 1905 it was the predominating feature of the Market.
It is unfortunate that the firms engaged in its importation seem to have
been desirous of putting as large a quantity as possible on the Market, at any
price, rather than by paying more attention to the quality to obtain a more
remunerative price.
The large quantities on offer, coupled with the fact that it has frequently
been out of condition, has had the effect of depressing the value to a very low
level, and also to some extent has affected the Market generally. This is
doubly unfortunate, as not only does it make this particular business
unremunerative, but renders it difficult for other branches of the trade to
obtain a reasonable profit.
American refrigerated beef has suffered somewhat from Argentine
competition, to which, however, it still maintains a marked superiority,
although there has been a tendency on the part of some of the importing firms to
regard the subject of quality as of secondary importance if only they can
compete successfully in price. This is much to be regretted, the tendency
should be to improve in quality, as the health of the consuming public is
more likely to benefit by a moderate quantity of carefully selected and well
preserved meat than by a larger amount of lower quality.
The great favour with which refrigerated beef is received is this country
led certain persons in New Zealand to attempt sending their productions here