CHILLED BEEF PROSPECTS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 96, 6 April 1934, Page 10

CHILLED BEEF PROSPECTS

Australia and New Zealand REVIEW BY SIR E. VESTEY The prospects for the chilled beef trade, particularly in Australia, were recently discussed by Sir Edmund Vestey, joint managing director of the Union Cold Storage Co., Ltd. In his remarks he pointed out that Australia was handicapped as compared with New Zealand because of the longer sea voyage that bad to be undertaken, but that otherwise the prospects were very bright. He said, in an interview, that he was convinced by his inspections of Queensland cattle and of the breeding stock at the Royal Show that Austru lia could supply an increasing share of the British requirements of chilled beef. There was no reason why chilled beef export should not m?.ko the cattle-growing industry as prosperous as it was in the Argentine. Sir Edmund Vestey pointed out, however, that, under the British trade agreement with the Argentine, arrangements were made for only experimental shipments of chilled beef from the Do minions for three years last Noveru ber. lie hnd no doubt that the British ■ Government would construe the word ' • ‘ experimental ’ ’ as lil>erallv as poe i slide. He said that, it would be a great i pleasure to his eompauy to “push’’| • lie sale of Australian chilled meat and other products through its retail shops, numbering nearly 30110. in Britain. Sir Edmund Vestey said that there was no doubt in his mind that a large portion of the present export of frozen href wonhl be aceentahle in •

chilled condition. When Australian producers secured an improved price tor thei. cattle as “chillers," they would steadily increase and improve their production. “A great deal has to be done,’’ said Sir Edmund Vestey, “to get the chilled beef business going on a large scale. Experimental shipments have already been made, and in several cases meat has been landed in a satisfactory condition in London from Australia, but at present Australia is handicapped as compared with New Zealand because of the longer time taken on the voyage. Chilled meat has been landed in excellent condition from New Zea, land without the use of carbon Jioxid' gas in 31 days An effort will have to be made to reorganise the Australian shipping service so that ships can reach London from 33 to 35 days afte loading chi led beef iu Queensland. “AU these matters of reorganisation will take time, but meanwhile the ex perimenta) shipments will be going ou and in larger quantities. Much remains to be done iu the better handling of stock on the runs, in yards, on the railways. nnd in slaughter-houses. No de tail is too small for attention. Fortu irately you already have in Australia men who realise the importance of these matters. The highest standard must be made the aim of all.’’