TINNED MEAT TRADE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LIII, Issue 9305, 22 March 1907, Page 8

TINNED MEAT TRADE.

THE COLONIES AND THE WAR OFFICE CONTRACTS.

LPRESS ASSOCIATION. 1 WELLINGTON, March 21

Major Long, who comes to the colony accredited by the British Government to enquire into the colonies' tinned meat industries, with a view of ascertaining the possibilities of contracts for supplies beung entered into between companies and the British WaT Office, arrived from Sydney to-day. Some time since it was stated the colony's freezing loompanies were not likely to tender as the supply of tinned meats in New Zealand was too small to come up to the maximum requirements of the War Office. On this aspect of the case, Major Long said it was erroneous to assume that the Government would require 3,000,0001b of tinned meat per year. He indicated that the War Office would be prepared l to enter into oontracta fotr mucn tsmaJleir quantities. Further,, supplies under contracts would not require to be delivered in bulk ; gradual consignments at regular periods only would be looked for. Major Long went on to say that he was aware freezing was regarded by tine mieat companies as of primary importance in this country, but he appeared to be hopeful that hie mission would "not be altogether fruitless. Naturally, -he said, fche British Government would .give preference to colonial suppliers, but this could only be done where prioes admitted it. It could not, for instance, be expected that contracts would be placed with the colonieß if prices were much above those charged for the American article, nor did to busrk the fact that there is a great prejudice in the army against American tinned' meat since the Chicago disclosures. Major Long is not concerned only with the capabilities of the colonies to supply tinned meats. His enquiries will extend to the system of inspection in vogue,, and the quality of the meats tinned 1 . IhoidettDtally, he will, also have something to say in, his report as .to the advifiableness of entering I into contracts after considering the ques1 taon lin all its bearings, both from an Imperial and' comme<t<cial point of view. After inspecting the works in Wellington, and making complete enquiries about the ! system of Government supervision and inspection, bo will, in ail UikeJahood, go on , to Auckland, thence to Canterbury, Otago, and Southland. Subsequently ihe wall return to Sydney, and prosecute his mission I in the Commonwealth.