IMPERIAL MEAT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXV, Issue 9178, 29 June 1915, Page 4

IMPERIAL MEAT.

LETTER TO THE BOARD OF. TRADE. v

MR GILBRRT ANDERSON'S PLKA

The commandeering by the British Government of all the refrigerated tonage moots with general approval in London frozon meat circles, and Mr Gilbert Anderson says that the only regret is that this was not done at an earlier date. ■

Writing to. the President of the Board of Trade on March' 27, Mr' Gilbert Anderson says:— "As agents for several New Zealand farmers freezing companies, as also.for a large number of growers, and/shippers through other works, and representatives of the largest Farmers' Freezing Companies, whoso consignments are sent thriugh various channels, I beg to draw your attention to, the serious position of the meat supplies to this country and the harm which will be done to New Zealand il" special arrangements are- not speejijy made for early deliveries and figure supplies. '• '. - -

"At the present time there are.ample supplies in store and on ..boaid" ~ steamers to meet; all'requirements but. since it 1 has been announced that tbe • Government, havo- commander o.}" all ■ supplies, along with the appaicat. absence oi' .shipments, prices, have advanced in some instances by a furthier 25 per cenb.

"I am advised that there are ample supplies for all our requirements if proper stops are taken to obtain these, but the future of tho trade is imperilled, and there is the possibility that our requirements will not be forthcomthe present block and stoppage of the freezing works in the colony is ronioved.

"It is necessary horo that I bhouM state that 1 was associated in New Zealand with tho freezing industry from its inception, and was mainly responsible for the present freight agreement while controlling tho largest output, and 1 claim therefore to write from the standpoint of grower and freezing company.

"This country requires to import annually by regular shipments 650,000 to 700.000 tons of meat for' its ordinary annual demand, but to provide the extra food for our Army we must supplement this by a further 250,000 to 300,000 tons. That these supplies are available has been proved by the arrivals up to date, and future, supplies can bo, obtained if proper organisation is arranged to get them.

"Owing however, to various ; causes, no special effort is being made to ' discharge the large number of insulated steamers at the Port of; London ;md Liverpool; many have been in port for over a month, and some for six weeks. "To carry our frozen meat in normal; times we require tonnage for 3p,000,00p freight, carcases. , The', pr«i- ;:. .sent .insula-ted tonnage is for 16,131,----000. freight carcases, which with' ordi- ' nary sailings provides freight carcase* for 45j0O0,0(X), or something like jui. excess of 10 to oO per cent., sufficiewt for our extra requirements at normal or slow sailings, and allowing for only two trips per annum to New Zealand and Australia. AForo than this is possible by ac'fcJi'rsitinpc discharge and loading, which would give a carrying capacity of po&.sibly 00,000,000 freight^ carcases.

"Thwo is ample tonnage. not, only for freight purposes, but sufficiont for - the requirements of the Admiralty.

"I now- come to the most serious aspect, and claim to speak with an m- •■ timate knowledge of meat freezing. The , freezing works in New Zealand ' are ..blocked, and the majority hare have to stop killing. The season is at ■ its hefght and the works should be at full pressure. Growers have provided feed for the fattening of 750,000 to 1,000,000 head of sheep and lambs per month from March to July, and these can only be turned off fat and in freezing condition and weight provided the '" monthly quantities are sent from- the. farms. If this is not done, they have ' to remain and share the feed of the ■ next drafts, resulting in these not • getting fat, with the future possibility of a reduction in exports of 50 per ' cent, ai a time when we are urgently ■ requiring; extra supplies.

"I therefore suggest that ,in order/ to protect future supplies, insulated, steamers should bo. despatched to th&se. ' districts whore future supplies are waiting to be killed. In districts such as South Australia, Victoria v and New , South Wales, whore the killing is about complete, the meat should remain in store in the colony, until required. "By relieving the most urgent cases only, aud providing for the stock being • killed as and when fat, ample supplies < of meat will be forthcoming. Otherwise the stock in the colonies will lose condition and will become unfit for export. Serious loss will be entailed on the polonies, and our meat supply wilt become seriously menaced during the time when it is urgently required. J ' see no difficulty in providing for the future if the matter is dealt with from a knowledge of the necessities of the whole circumstances." Congestion at the Docks. Mr Anderson states that the Port of London Authority has boon urged by the importers and tho Incorporated Society of Meat Freezers to deal with the matter of refrigerated tonnage in a prompt and businesslike manner. A steamer from each line should be dealt with ab a time and every effort • made to discharge that vessel prompt-' ly, so that she might bo free to return to the colony. The shipowners are ■ quite in accord with this movement,' and it is to bo regretted that the Port of London Authority has not - [■risen to the occasion.