FROZEN MEAT INDUSTRY

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 56, 29 November 1929, Page 13

FROZEN MEAT INDUSTRY

REFRIGERATION ENGINEERS CONFER MEMBERS OF SCIENTIFIC SURVEY ATTEND The third annual conference of the refrigeration engineers of the different freezing works iu the Dominion convened by the New Zealand Meat 110ducers’ Board, was held in Wellington yesterday. , . . The conference was attended by representatives from practically every freezing company in the Dominion, and the chair was taken by Mr. R ilvl “ Jones, M.P., chairman of the Meat Board. Most Important Conference. In extending a welcome to those present, Mr. Jones referred to the fact that the conference this year was ot especial importance, as the Meat Board had arranged for the attendance ot members of the expedition from England who recently arrived m the Dominion iu connection with the scientific survey of our frozen meat industiy. This survey was headed by Dr. Lzer Griffiths, F.R.S., of the National Lhyslcal Laboratory, who bad a worldwide reputation in regard to tempeiatures and humidity, etc. Dr. Griffiths was accompanied by Dr. Vickery of the Low Temperature Research fetation, Cambridge, and assistants. Dr. Griffiths had recently completed important investigations in connection with the transit of perishable. foodstuffs from overseas Dominions to the United Kingdom. These scientists, said Mr. Jones, had already commenced their experiments and investigations in New Zealand, and it was certain that when they had finished their work, the survey would be the most comprehensive and extensive yet undertaken in connection with the industry. . Mr. Jones stressed the importance or the co-operation of freezing companies iu such matters as those before the conference. and the large attendance demonstrated the desire of freezing companies to do everything possible to maintain the good name of New Zealand meat on the Home markets, by ensuring that, everything possible was done to attain the highest standard of quality. It, by the adoption of more scientific methods, they could improve the quality and general appearance of their meat, there could be no better means for the extension of their overseas trade.

Investigation Necessary. As a result of a consultation between the Meat Board and Sir William Hardy (chairman of the Food Investigation Board at Home), the latter gave it. as his strong opinion that a detailed scientific survey was necessary, following the meat through the works in New Zealand until arrival on Smithfield market, giving particular study to temperatures, humidity, air velocity, etc. This consultation was the orign of the expedition being sent out to New Zealand. The Meat Board was sharing the cost of the survey with the Empire Marketing Board and the Scientific Research Department at Home. lie co-operation of all those bodies with the Scientific Research Department at this end must result in great benefits being derived from the survey of the industry. The need for research work in connection with the frozen meat trade had prompted the board to also set up a special committee.with full power to eonduct experiments and make investigations in regard to the freezing, storing and transport of meat, said Mr. Jones. 11ns committee, in conjunction with the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, would be associated with the visiting scientists during their stay in the Dominion, and after they had departed would keep in touch with them in regard to further experiments which they may wish to carry out or any other matters in connection with the survey. Problems of Deterioration. The conference proceeded to discuss some notes prepared by Mr. John Braser, general manager of the board, relating to the freezing, storing and transport ot Netv Zealand frozen meat. These notes analysed in detail the various points where deterioration may take place, commencing from the entry of the stock into the yards at the works until their arrival in the United Kingdom. The discussion which followed must be of value to all those present. . . During the conference interesting addresses were given by Dr. Griffiths and Dr. Vickerv. Dr. Griffiths dealt with some aspects of the work being carried out by the National Physical Laboratory, London, and illustrated his lecture with a series of lantern slides. Dr. Vickery dealt with some of the biological problems connected with the survey of the frozen meat industry. At the close of the conference a hearty vote of thanks was extended to the visiting scientists for their addresses, and to tiie board for calling the engineers together.