New Zealand Dairy Exports. 



493 



the case with the mutton, for in 1894 the exports of beef fell 

 to 3,799 cwts. only, rising to 25,088 cwts. in 1895. 



It is stated that reports from London show that the meat 

 was generally in good condition on arrival, and that claims 

 for damages were fewer. The prices ruling for lamb were 

 reported to be very low, and it is thought that heavy losses 

 must have resulted. The freights charged per lb. for carriage 

 were Jd. or Jd. for mutton, and Jd. or |d. for beef, according 

 to season, while lamb was a little dearer (-^^d. and if d.), with 

 10 per cent, primage, and a rebate of 5 per cent, when 

 freight was paid in the Colony, and of 3 per cent, when paid 

 in London. 



Exportation of Dairy Produce from New Zealand. 



In the reports to the New Zealand Secretary for Agricul- 

 ture on the exportation of dairy produce from that colony 

 during the year ending March 31, 1898, it is stated that the 

 quantities shipped show a gratifying increase over the previous 

 year's total. The exports of butter amounted to 106,840 

 cwts., an increase of 31,553 cwts., or 41 percent, over those 

 ot 1896-7 ; while the value, ^429,407, as compared with 

 ^297,518, increased in rather greater proportion (44 per 

 cent.). The shipments of cheese (78,705 cwts. in 1897-8, 

 and 71,663 cwts. in 1896-7) showed an excess of 10 per cent, 

 over the earlier year. Their value, however, increased by 

 13 per cent., the totals in the two years named being put at 

 ;£i54,i44 and ;£i35,7ii respectively. 



The Agricultural Department of New Zealand, it is stated, 

 early recognised the wisdom of aiding the industry by every 

 means in its power, and the system of grading and reporting 

 on each lot of produce shipped to the mother country is 

 considered to have had a beneficial effect on the quality, 

 and consequently on the market value, of the colony's goods. 

 The free cold storage for butter provided by the Department 

 has also proved of great assistance to producers. Side by 

 by side with this increase, however, the butter exports of 

 New Zealand's principal Australian competitor, Victoria, 



