FROZEN MEAT

Evening Post, Volume CI, Issue 66, 18 March 1921, Page 8

FROZEN MEAT

THE FRENCH MARKET.

(ritoM oun own correspondent.)

LONDON, 2nd February.

In Franco to-day food prices are continually rising, and there is an active . campaign against what is considered to be the unjustifiable exploitation of the public. The price of meat has risen to' such an extent that it is beyond the purchasing power of the average housewife, and schemes axe on foot for remedying this evil by the larger import of frozen meat. There was a very strong prejudice before the war to the purchase of frozen meat, but that has been largely changed during the last six years, for it will be remembered t-hut the British Government was responsible for maintaining the meat supply of Franco during the war period, and people have come to realise how greatly mistaken they were in regard to the frozen article. One of the regulations which originally governed the import of meat was that the entrails should, bo in situ, which naturally prevented New Zealand from trading with the country. Harassing restrictions were naturally removed during the . war, but since the cessation of hostilities new regulations have been imposed. At the present time there is a far grater demand for meat than ever before, which the high prices are putting a heavy embargo on. The Prefect of the Seine proposes to place an abundant quantity of imported meat on the markets in Paris and the larger towns, bought on favourable terms under contract by the services under his control. It is expected that this will render French native fresh meat possible for the purses of provincial housewives, whilvthe favourable contracts made will permit of the sale of frozen meat at prices 20 or 25 per cent, below that of fresh meat.

The plane of the Prefeot include the organising of a system which will be generalised to render as short as possible the period of cold storage and ensure the rapid distribution of the cargoes of frozen me*t. The new organisation will begin its work m Pans, and at the same time will meet the requirements not only of those municipalities wishing to form part of the sisociation, but also of Paris tradespeople who state in writing their willingness to take so many tons. French Government control of frozen meat prices is at present maintained to seme extent by a system whereby the seller m applying for a license to import, is compelled to state the' price at which he intends to sell his meat. The whole question, however, is- in a state of development, and Mr. Alexander Crabb, New Zealand Trade and Produce Officer, hae gona over to France to study the conditions, and to push the interests of New Zealand producers as far as possible. He will also visit Belgium, where it is understood there is a possibility of opening up a trade in frozen horseflesh. Holland is likely to approve of the import of Argentine meat, and Mr. Crabb will go on to that country to find out as much as possible concerning the prospects of opening up trade relations with the Dominion.