MEAT EXPERTS' TOUR

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 28, 13 November 1934, Page 7

MEAT EXPERTS' TOUR

yiEWS ON DOMINION INDUSTRY. CRITICISM OF SHOPS. (Per'Bresß Association). WELLINGTON, November 12, Three members of the Meat Board of South Australia, Messrs A. S. Kidman, T. H. Phelps and B. Water--house, who arriyed in New Zealand last month to inspect meat works and abattoirs and to study meat conditions in the Dominion, have completed their tour and will return to Australia by the Maunganui, sailing to-mor-row. They have travelled extensively in the South. Island, and' have visited Palmerston North, Napier and other parts of the Hawke'is Bay district. The visitors, were unfortunate in that the South Island freezing works were not then operating, although those visited in the North Island were open. They said the works appeared altogether as up-to-date as any in Australia. They were, however, quite un- , able to understand why so many small towns had their own municipal abattoirs when there, were large meat companies operating in the same region. The big works were run under better condition's, and could do the work more efficiently. Small municipal undertakings could not justify the expense of bringing them up-to-date. It was simply a waste of public money to do so when the'work might well be ileft to private enterprise and undertaken under proper supervision. The three experts had several criticisms to offer on New Zealand meat and fish shops, which are open on the street. There were some tolerably good t shops they stated, but the great majority'fell far short of Australian standards. They admitted flies and dust, and were neither clean nor tidy. "To expose any foodstuff to the filth • . and dust of the street is objectionable and insanitary," said.Mr Phelps. Mr Kidman had some kind words for the sheep-farmer. ;'"."■'£. "Your lamb - raising country, is in marvellous condition," he said, "and ;it is wonderful what your country is able to produce."