FROZEN MEAT.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16987, 9 November 1920, Page 7

FROZEN MEAT.

[ ALLEGED CONTAMINATION. jIB MASSE"? PKOMISES ENQUIKT. (SPECIAL TO "THE TRESS.'') , WELLINGTON, November S. -\ statement that some incat knded for export at *\Yellingtrm had been "nawed by rats and contained rats' nests was made in the "House of P»eprescniatives recently by Mr IT. Holland. The Lender of the Labour Party stated, also, that some moat not lit for human consumption was being used for conning purposes at the freezing worke. He asked for a Commission of Enquiry. Xho Mini.ster of Agriculture (the Hon. "W. NoMvortMy) inado a stsitement to the House ri Ucpresentativos to-day in reply to those allegation?. He. said that in view of the very low tompcratirro at win.' , , the meat was held in tho • freezing store, it seemed incredible that rate could livo and breed in the carraws, :is had been suggested by Mr Holland. It was a fact ifint a small number of enrenses ar, Ginborne had ' been found to have been attacked by rats. This meat wae refused shipment. Jt was a ftVt, accented by authorities throughout the world, that the fitness of meat for human consumption was not reduced if tho animal was affected by tubercular disease in the early stage, when the disease was slight; and was localised in one or more definite centres. Nature isolated tho disease. He would be plonsed to show the hon. member authoritative opinions to provo that the methods of inspection adopted in Nfw Zealand wore in accordance with sound practice, and were of, nt least, ns high a standard as the methods of anv other country. "Whenever tubercular diseaso was present to sucli an nxtent as to cause the least danger, tho whole carcase was rejected. The flesh nf bulls and rams was not in any way dangerous when used as food, although in tho case of rams it mie'ht not always bo particularly palatable. In such, cases the carcases were always condemned. It was a fact thnt in some of tho northern parts of England bull meat was a favourite article' of food, and there was always a demand for it for export in the frozen state. No o-bje.'-tion could be taken to tho uso of tho-flesh of lean animals, which had be.en mentioned by tho member for Duller. Emaciated animals were always rejected., The Minister addod that be regretted such statements should have been made. Every effort had been made, to keep the Dominion's meat ub to a high standard. There, was inspection which was much, more Kevero in New Zealand than ,in any "European country. Hβ -was fully satisfied on that psint. Mr Holland interjected that he cpuldS produce proof of his statements if a Commission of Enquiry was ordered. The Prim© Minister said the question wae far too serious to be left at that point. Hβ Jiad not tfto least doubt that tbe statements that had been, made by Mr Holland would be used against New Zealand by its competitors in the English market. . He had teen enough of the methods of tho men engaged in the meat trade to bo sure on that point. He proposed to confer with tho Minister of' Agriculture., with, the object of having an exhaustive enquiry made into tho statements, which wero bound to bo published far and wide.