FREEZING INDUSTRY

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 33, 8 February 1930, Page 9

FREEZING INDUSTRY

JUBILEE CELEBRATION

MEMORIES OF EARLY DAYS

LONDON, 7th February

Sitting at wattle-decked tables at the Savoy Hotel, a- distinguished assemblago, under the chairmanship of Lord Kylsant, including Sir Granville Eyrie (Australian High Commissioner), Mr. Thomas Trumblo (Official Secretary), Lord Stanloy, of Aldcrley, Hon. T. M. Wiiford, and the Hon. Samuel Vestey, celebrated the jubilee of the foundation of the frozen meat industry dating from 1880, when the steamer, Strathleveh, under tho auspieeß of M'llwraith, ■M'Eacherni Limited, conveyed thirty-four tons of beef, lamb aud mutton from-Sydney to England. ,

The prime founder of the frozen, meat export trade was Mr. T. S. Mort, jwho established the world's first freezing works at Darling Harbour in 1861.

Lord Kylsant, in proposing a toast to the pioneers of refrigeration, referred to the, Brazilian Ambassador, Senor Haul do Olivera, Mr. Fenton^ Sir Granville Ryrie and Mr. Wiiford.

/Sendr Olivera, in responding, congratulated Australia and New Zealand on their example,: which filled South America with admiration. :v. s Mr. Fenton (Australian Customs Minister), amid cheers, acknowledged Scnor> Olivera's compliment and paid a tribute to .the services of. Mr. Mort, who, unfortunately, had not lived to see the triumph which had been his. Ho had apparently died of a broken heart because one of his attempts to export frozen meat had failed) ' '

. Mr. Fenton reviewed the increase in Australia's paoduce exports. \ I-le.fo-oallecl tho names |)f E. G. Nichoils and Andrew M'lhvraith, who, though illness precluded;his, presence, was represented by his son Harold. . , "We are going to make good old Australia bloom, and are going to make Argentina and Brazil run for it." declared Mr. Fenton, who, as he sat'down, shook hands with Senor Olivera.

Mr. Wilford, who was loudly cheered, traced, the, history, of ,New- Zealand's frozen meat trade and .pointed out., .that she supplied over half of Britain's lambs and mutton. He prophesied early: success for, the recent periments in . instantaneous freezing, and cited instances of the Dominion's recent land development. . ■ -' ! Sir,- Granville Byrie recalled , that Australian working men had erected a monument to Mort owing to his broad humanitarianism. He complimented Mr. M. T. Brown, chief engineer of the Strathleven, who' was present. The chairman responded. -