The Middleman in Agriculture. 
71 
Market, during the past five years, for Scotch, English, Austra- 
lian, and New Zealand mutton of prime quality, in the carcass. 1 
This table brings up a question which has a very direct 
bearing on the subject of the middleman’s share in the meat 
trade. There were last year (1892) 51,680 tons — or 2,140,000 
carcasses — of frozen and fresh mutton imported into this country, 
almost all of it coming from New Zealand and Australia. Now 
this was sold at the London wholesale market at from 40 to 50 
per cent, below the price of British meat. What it would be 
especially interesting to know is whether these 51,000 tons were 
sold over the counter to consumers at this reduction. There is very 
good reason to believe that the greater part of it is sold, not 
at a price 40 or 50 per cent, below British meat, but at the 
same price and under the same name. This is a strong charge, 
but the evidence in support of it — though entirely circum- 
stantial — is practically overwhelming. 
Another instance of a frequent fraud upon producers, con- 
sumers, and honest traders alike, is the sale of margarine, or 
“ blends,” as butter. The continued existence of this practice 
forms one of the disappointments of legislation. It is not, 
perhaps, singular in this respect, for the farmer has had more 
than one warning against putting his trust in Acts of Parlia- 
ment. But it is certainly discouraging to find that, notwith- 
standing the existence of at least two distinct statutes pro- 
hibiting it under penalties, the ingenious industry of butter 
adulteration goes on almost as merrily as ever. There are three 
main reasons for the practical failure of the law. One is the 
laxity and indifference of those who have been, charged with its 
administration, another is the clever adaptability of those whose 
interest it is to evade it, and the third is the lack of any 
deterrent effect in the penalties imposed on those who break it. 
There are three categories, under one of which the middle- 
man’s profits may fall. They may be — (1) fair, (2) exorbitant, 
or (3) fraudulent. As regards the first we have nothing to say. 
Granting, as broadly speaking we do, the necessary continuance 
of the middleman, it follows that he is entitled to a fair and 
reasonable remuneration for his work and skill. As regards 
exorbitant profits, it must at once be admitted that they have in 
the nature of things a tendency to be decreased by competition. 
If in any business excessive profits are being made, there will 
be a natural tendency among persons outside it to take it up. 
But the potency of competition only holds good so long as it 
1 From the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Apency Co.’s Circular, 
January 1893. 
