MEAT-FREEZING INDUSTRY

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 August 1939, Page 4

MEAT-FREEZING INDUSTRY

DEVELOPMENT SUGGESTED I PRESS ASSOCIATION.] AUCKLAND, August. 21. Greater development of the meat preservation industry in New Zealand and Australia to reduce the quantity of frozen mutton exports was advocated by Sir William Angliss, M.L.C., of Melbourne, on his return from a six months' holiday tour of England and Europe bv the Rangitane. Until recently Sir William was managing director of one of the largest meat concerns in Australia, as well as beingassociated with a dozen other subsidiary companies with which he has now severed all connection. Sir William referred to recent negotiations to obtain permission from the British Government to forgo the quota in order that all surplus mutton might be shipped from New Zealand. He said this indicated how seriously the question of extending the mutton preservation industry should be considered in. New Zealand, as well as in Australia. It would have the effect, he added. of improving the price for mutton on the London market, which had been far too low to preserving interests for some months to be profitable. "1 am suggesting a way out whereby those compelled to dispose of their sheep to the freezing works may be able to do so under more profitable conditions," Sir William continued. ■’Some adjustments would necessarily be involved, and one of the first would have to be in connection with labour costs which, in both countries, are very much in. excess of those to be faced by our competitors in South America. An effort should be made to arrange with workers’ unions covering this branch of the industry to modify labour costs, so that, mutton preservation may be put on a profitable footing. He said that if that could be done there would probably he a big increase in the demand for labour in this branch of the industry. “We are not. now preserving nearly the quantity of mutton that is warranted, and there is not the demand for frozen mutton, although lamb is marketed at quite a satisfactory price, t would also suggest, that an effort should be made by the meat boards in both countries to pay a. bonus on preserved mutton exports to assist the industry. The matter is one that really should receive very serious attention from governments, meat boards, meat, works, and workers' unions.” Sir William added that, the present preservation plans could cope with much greater orders than were required, and if satisfactory- arrangements were made no extensions would be necessary to increase-the output, tremendously. If any increase became necessary. it would be a small item, and promptly overcome. Sir William was accompanied by Lady Angliss and their daughter.