N.Z. DRIED MEAT

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 August 1942, Page 3

N.Z. DRIED MEAT

PRODUCTION FOR BRITAIN.

WELLINGTON, August 10. “New Zealand is proceeding vigorously with the programme for. the production of 100 tons of dehydrated meat a month under contract with Britain,” said the Minister of Primary Production for War Purposes (Mr. Polson) to-night. “In order that the New Zealand Government should be acquainted with the progress made in Australia on meat dehydration, an expert was recently sent by the Government to investigate the position, and his report has now been submitted to the Government.

“The position at the. present time is that the only Australian plant of commercial size is a unit operating at the Homebush abattoir, Sydney, which is producing for the Australian Army. Its operation is intermittent and depends on the supply of ewe mutton which can be purchased at the price the Australian Army is prepared to pay. The capacity of the plant is stated to be five tons of dehydrated meat a day. To date it appears that

eight tons of thp. product produced there has been shipped to the United Kingdom. Australian experts consider that a considerable amount of investigation is Still necessary in Australia before various problems associated with the project are solved satisfactorily. A little over a week ago Australia accepted an order from the United Kingdom for 100 tons a month, presumably on the same terms as those previously accepted by New Zealand. The Federal Government is said to- have made available up., to £200,000 for the establishment' of meat dehydration. " “Ln New Zealand some 16 tons, has been produced for the United Kingdom, and favourable reports have been received .regarding arrivals to date. Preparations which should be complete within three to four months are under way for the establishment of a commercial plant in the North Island capable of supplying the United Kingdom order. In the experimental and development work in New Zealand care has been taken to adhere closely to the processing conditions and other requirements laid down by experts in the United Kingdom.”