Centenary message

Press, 15 February 1982, Page 51

Centenary message

(By M. R. Barnett, chairman of the Meat Industry Centenary Committee.) Today marks the centenary of the frozen meat industry, and what an impact it has made on the economy of New Zealand. It would be no exaggeration to claim that the base of our prosperity has centred around what has now become our major export industry. It all started with the introduction of refrigeration, and as Brydone and Davidson prepared their ambitious experiment a new outlook emerged within the farming industry. Within a few years meat exports began to rival wool and dairy products as our main export earner. Continued growth soon made it obvious that the frozen meat industry was surely to be the corner-stone of the New Zealand economy. We started with one market; now we have a hundred. Now, more than 70 freezing works and meat-packing houses process 35 million lambs and sheep as well as 1.5 million head of cattle a year. While we can look back

with pride and satisfaction on a century of real achievement, the future holds many challenges. Soundly-based decisions will have to be made to ensure the continual growth and expansion of our meat industry. To celebrate this notable achievement, the Meat Industry Centenary Committee which embraces the New Zealand Meat Producers Board, the freezing industry, and the shipping companies, have organised meaningful celebrations at Totara and Port Chalmers, and later in Britain, so that due significance will be accorded such an important occasion. On a national basis, the Government will host a function in Wellington to recognise the immense contribution the meat industry has made to New Zealand as a whole. I hope that as we recognise and celebrate the achievements of the last 100 years, our outlook, our determination and our farsightedness will ensure that the contribution of the frozen meat industry in the next 100 years will also be of great significance to New Zealand’s future prosperity.