New Caledonian

Cattle Numbers Increasing

Freezing Or Canning?

From Our Own Correspondent

Noumea, Sept. 4.

THE pastoral industry is in rather a depressed condition.

It is estimated that at the present time there are some 3,000 head of fat cattle, surplus to local requirements.

The problem presents itself as to the disposal of this stock.

A suggestion has been made that a freezing works be erected in New Cal edonia and the cattle exported in this manner. Another proposal is that the pastoralists form a co-operative com pany to purchase or take over the meat canning works at Mueo, which have been closed for some time.

In view of the continued reduction of Javanese and Tonkinese indentured labour, and the reduced purchasing power of the people generally, the cattle in excess to the country’s require ments are likely to continue to increase —subject of course to any severe drought conditions which might materi ally alter the position.