MEAT MARKETS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 206, 1 September 1933, Page 12

MEAT MARKETS.

. VIEWS OF DELEGATES. CHILLED BEEF PROSPECTS. LOWER FREIGHTS SUGGESTED. t (By Telccraph.—Press Association.) ' WELLINGTON, Thursday. A general discussion on problems of marketing New Zealand meat on the Home market took place at the annual . meeting of delegates to the New Zealand , Meat Producers' Board. Tho acting-chairman of the board, Mr. T. A. Duncan, said he had received most favourable reports concerning the recent 1 shipment of chilled beef. He considered the success of the experiment had opened up a new trading possibility, which would greatly benefit the New Zealand producer. He hoped at least that 30 per cent of our cattle could be sent abroad. This would have a beneficial effect on prices. Mr. J. H. Joll (Havelock North) said the cattle business was in a low condition. A rise of a penny per pound would be a most needed lift. Mr. M. McDonnell (Hatuma) said in his district there had been a tendency for certain freezing companies to buy low grado lambs in yards. That policy would have a detrimental effect on the prestige of New Zealand lamb on the Homo market. Mr. Duncan said the grading question was a difficult one, but the board did not entertain third grade lambs on any account. Anything below the board's standard was rejected by the board's grader. Thousands of lambs had been rejected as being below the export standard. One delegate said freezing companies i put rejected lambs on the retail market and undercut butchers. This was i endorsed by other delegates. Mr. F. S. Bowen (Gisborne) considered tho reductions obtained by the board in | cold storage costs in London had not ( been sufficient in view of the profits some \ storage companies were making. i Mr. Duncan said the chairman of the ] board, Mr. D. Jones, who was at present in London, was seeking a further reduc- t tion of cold storage rates. Mr. Bowen said in view of the fact that owing to tho quota system there was a surplus tonnage in the world, he considered bigger reductions in freight * charges might be obtained. • Mr. Duncan said- when the agreement j was made the effects of the quota had j not been felt, and surplus shipping was , not then available. He pointed out that shipping companies were experiencing . difficulties owing to tho drop in the s volume of trade, and many vessels were e coming out in ballast.