FROZEN MEAT INDUSTRY.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 535, 1 October 1902, Page 3

FROZEN MEAT INDUSTRY.

A ROYAL COMMISSION SUGGESTED. By Tolograph—Press Association. Wellington, last night. The report of the Select Committee set up by tho House to consider the condition of tho frozen meat industry suggests that as tho magnitude of interests involved aro so great, the Governor should bo requested to sot up a Commission to go fully into the matter. The Committee regards tho complaints mado, especially by breeders in Wellington and Hawke’s Bay districts, as to smallor prices obtained by them as compared with those obtainable in tho South Island as fully proved. It was abundantly shown that as things stand at present the bulk of tho shoop produced in many of the North Island districts are not of equal value with those produced in tho South. This may be accounted for by the breed, but still the Committee is of opinion that prices paid in the provinces of Wellington and Hawke’s Bay are not of equal value to tho producer as those obtainable by sellers in tho South Islaud. The roason for this is that there is not the same competition in tho North in regard to the purchase of fat sheep. Tho market system has been considerably developed in tho South, and the result is an average standard of prices not obtained in tho North-Island.. Until some method can bo devised of concentrating fat stock for salo at the various centres iri the North Island, thus' attracting a larger number of buyers, thoro U not much chance of improvement in prices. At prosent the supply of fat Bhoep unduly taxes the capacity of the North Island freezing works, and it appears clear that unless increased accommodation is providod difficulty will bo experienced in handling sheep fat for elport. Tho direct solution of the difficulty would bo a combination amongst tho farthers thomsolvos—a Co-operativo Association, of which, unfortunatoly, there a’ppoared little prospect. Tho chief evil in connection with the salo of Now Zealand frozen moat in London and othor United Kingdom markets appears to be that it is within the power of the individual owners, oalesmon, or agents to weaken, and in frequent casos to cause, a decided slump in tho markot, through placing quantities of mutton or lamb upon it at inopportune times and at less than current rates. The trade will never be on n. footing until » oCQtl . a | pj oar j i s got up in London, with powor to fix tho prico from day to day, and thus to regulate and control the sales. ' :