THE MEAT TRAD

Press, Volume L, Issue 14907, 4 March 1914, Page 5

THE MEAT TRAD

DOMIMONS BOTAL COM-

MISSION.

AN ANSWER TO CRITICISM

(teom opr owk corsbskjjtdknt.)

LONDON, January 21

Important evidence was fiiven before the Dominions Royal Commission yesterday by Mr Gilbert Anderson, who replied in detail to many of the criticisms made in evidence in New Zealand.

The main difficulty which confronts Now Zealand producers here has been duo, ho says, to "the independent manner in -which the farms in New Zealand persist in carrying on the trade. Although there have been local markets and eager buyers, the farmer has invariably persisted in handling his own goods and consigning to this market. There is no objection to this if the quantities are considerable and the shipments regular, but invariably the farmer who has desired to consign has been the small man whoso stock has not been of sufficient quality to tempt tho local buyer. And! it has been consigned in small lots graded under numerous brands. This has been a very v-ixed question, and has meant a great delay in discharge as each mark and number has to be sorted out." THE BARGE CONTROVERSY. Mr Anderson is firmly of opinion that barges, as such, do not lead 1 to damage to tho meat, and they offer the cheapest, safe&t, and most effective means of conveyance. Ho gives a technical description of the construction of the barges. The inside plating is dressed with a solution covered with cork-dust to prevent condensation. The frames are oin from the side plating, and against those is fitted, tongued and grooved boarding of well-seasoned pitchpine. Over this water-proof paper Jβ laid and Blabs of compressed cork, amounting in all to 6in in thickness. In front of tho cork, again, is a facing of lJin tongued and grooved pineboards. Tho bulkheads and deck and coamings are similarly insulated. Acrosa tho barge amidships nre insulated ewing-doors, which can be closed to reduce the air-space in tho loaded portion of the barge. Tho hatches are covered with two blankets lined with hessian, over which are two tarpaulins. Tho barges are submitted for a surveyor's certificate and the barge-owner is held liable by the underwriters for damage through faulty construction. It is true tliat the system of survey has not been systematic, but steps are now being taken to have a regular annual survey by Lloyd's Register. "As many of the owners of meat prefer the barge system, it must be taken that they aTe studying the protection of {heir own goods. Evidence that has been given in regard to fau.ty barges has como as a enrpriso to thoso who have a knowledge of the matter, and after an inspection the statements which have bfen made have not been substantiated by thoso v,ho have been carrying their own meat in thk manner."

The Largo journeys are not neariy m long as many of the journeys of the frozen moat hofore reaching th<> ship's side in.the Dominion. "It, hctvever, has to be admitted that in the summer, frozen meat conveyed by barge represents a larger percentage of damage than meat -nut over-s<de into cold store." In this connexion Mr Anderson states that tb© excessive quantity of marks and numbers in New Zealand cargoes involves considerable delay in sorting to the particular barge_for conveyance to the agent of th© New Zealand firm. This means that a barge has to "wait for a considerable time with hatches more or less open, and' as the meat is notjunder frost there is more or less damage. THE DOCK QUESTION. , Since the Port of. London Authority took control of the docks, satisfactory progress was made, Mr Anderson says, in the negotiations for the better handling of frozen meat, but these were largely hampered by the proposal that there should be a separate dock for the whole of the New Zealand produce, to effect which, it would be absolutely necessary to obtain the consent of the various farmers shipping their small, odd lots, and also of th© freezing companies to arrange their freight contracts for discharge at this point. The Authority was quite willing to have placed the South-West India Dock at the disposal of the New Zealand producer, if he would guarantee sufficient produce to recover the expenditure necessary to construct cold stores and to alter the dock for the trade. The dock was not available, in the first placo, because the guarantees from the New Zealand producer were not forthcoming, and, secondly, because the large owners of meat had already provided the cold storage higher up the river contiguous to the market." After conferring with the fcrado and the Incorporated Society of Meat Importers, the Atithority proceeded with the construction of the sorting shed and cold stores which had been agitated for for many years. This work is well in hand, and it will entirely eliminate tho handling of meat, as steamers will cKschargo by mechanical conveyors. Barges will receive their full loads at once from the sorting shed, and discharge will be completed in a few days, as against six to fourteen days. This should minimise the damage. Mr Anderson mentions incidentally that tho evidence given in New Zealand seoms to suggest that the meat arriving in London is sold here. Statistics show, however, that less than half the New Zealand and Australian meat is sold in the Smithfield Market; the other half poes to tho provinces and direct to tho suburbs, and the new facilities at the Royal Albert Dock will enable this to bo done expeditiously and without exposure. PRICES ARE GOOD. "If one had to give an impartial opinion," says Mr Anderson, "it can only be that New Zealand, in the matter of pricos, has obtained full value for its money from thg beginning. The farmer is very apt to forget that tlio cost of distributing meat is from i£d to Id per lb." Now Zealand moat ie advertised as such, and the largo stores have a special department for the sale of frozen meat. Butchers_throughout the country handle it readily, and also various companies owning from ten to one thousand shops. There is every appearance Chat prices will be maintained owing to the education of other countries in the use of frozen meat. America will now, no doubt, take large quantities, and consequently the supplies for tho people of tins country will be considerably diminished. What Mr Anderson advocates to improve tho trade is reliable grading to tao standard of the district; improved dressing and sorting (in this respect Australia and Now Zealand are far behind the American River Plate firms) reliable inspection (tho Government label being attached by a metal seal).' "The loading of meat from Sydney," Mr Anderson says, "continues - !© be as bad as it possibly can be, and the marked contrast ts , seen on the market when the meat from Sydney is compared with other ports from Australia."

Jlr Anderson suggests that the discharge and handling of produce might fairly be taken up by representatives of the different Dominions. "IT this department was under the control of the Domir.ions, and a responsible staff appointed to supervise and report on any irregularities, there would be proper authorised reports to refer to instead of the loose impressions formed by persona who have no experience in the matter."