Industry

New Caledonian Cattle Over-Production Threatens Industry

From Our Own Correspondent.

NOUMEA December 20.

NO improvement can be reported in the cattle industry, and the con dition of a number of the graziers is rather precarious.

Sales of cattle on the hoof are now taking place at 1 franc 25 per kilo, which is only about one-third of the price prevailing some months ago.

It would appear that there is an over-production of cattle at the pre sent time, although the low price of meat should materially increase the consumption. As against this, however, the reduction in the number of Ton kinese and Javanese labourers by re patriation will reduce the number of mouths to be fed.

The question of opening a freezing works has been discussed at great length, but no practical solution has yet been put forward in regard to this method of exporting cattle. Unfortu nately, the Island lacks scientifically trained men who have had practical experience in this section of the meat industry, and advice in this direction, coupled with expert financial assist ance, is absolutely necessary to make the proposal a success.

It would be thought that, with the great field of experience available in Australia, advice would be sought in this direction, but apparently nothing has yet been done by the authorities or by the graziers themselves. To get the latter together would, no doubt, be a difficult matter, in view of their large numbers, the varying sizes of their herds, and also their different temperaments.

Finally, the low rate of the English and Australian exchanges makes it a difficult matter to develop an export trade of live cattle, or canned and frozen meat, as the British prices are now considerably below those quoted in francs.