THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 10057, 8 June 1898, Page 5

THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.)

WELLINGTON, June?.

Mr W. J. Worley, who has "had considerable experience of London trade, and of the frozen meat industry in this aoiony, has addressed to the Premier a lengthy memorandum, pointing out the existing defects in the methods of preparing frozen mutton for the London market, and suggesting various improvements. Briefly, he says the fact that New Zealand frozen meat is not in greater demand at prices equal to British, is attributable to inferiority in quality, and lie says, " The sooner we g»>t out of our fool's paradise that our meab is all right, and that the price is some,b<x3y else's fault, the better it will be for the trade." He condemns the proposed branding, because consumers judge by appeavaace rather than by brands, and he thinks the opening of opposition shops would increase the present difficulties in co:;: vtnd'jjg markets. He suggests greater encouragement to breed sheep of a first-class tjoality for mutton with high class feeding, bub condemns advertising, and ridicules the idea of giving a monopoly of the trade to butchers who would sell New Zealana .mutton only, which he believes would be impracticable. He suggests that the sheep- should not be killed within thirty-six hoars of having been driven ; that they should not be harassed when being caught for killing, and should not be slaughtered -whilst chilled; that extensive house accommodation should be provided at the slaughter yards ; that greater care should be given to the packing and handling; that farmers should be assured of an adequate price for first-class consignments instead of a mere average, with inferior quality included ; that reports should be obtained from experts of long experience in the trade on an extensive scale; that farniera should be willing to pay a small fee to iave their consignments watched in the London market by Government agents to prevent trickery by London tradesmen; and that each carcase should have v, tag attached with a distinctive mark, and account rendered to show how much the sheep realised and to whom it was sold.