DAIRY PRODUCE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIV, Issue 10780, 18 October 1895, Page 3

DAIRY PRODUCE .

[BT SPBIHTEB IN “ CANTBBBUET TIMES.”] London, Sept. 7. DIRECT SHIX’MBNTS. The Western Mail is responsible that a gentleman connected with Australians he Mr Hotson, the ‘ubiquitous?) is visiting Cardiff for the purpose of ascertaining the kind of market the port would make as a depot for frozen meat, dairy produce, &c., from Australia and New Zealand, should a direct lino of steamers be established between Melbourne, Sydney and Cardiff. Australian firms are, it, is- said, ready to send cargoes of Australian and New Zealand produce direct to Cardiff, provided the vessels could secure a return freight. It is added-that the Bute: Dock officials will offer every facility for the establishment of a direct import trade from Australia at the Cardiff Docks. ’ Oh, yes! Of course the Bute Dock people will do everything in their power to persuade Australian shippers to patronise their port. They endeavoured to persuade certain London owners to run a service of cargo boats, from Cardiff to New York, offering as an inducement “free bunkers.” And “ free bunkers ” is about all they can offer to Australians; return freight is something they cannot guarantee, j shall be surprised if the “ gentleman connected with Australia” reports favourably upon Cardiff as a “direct shipment” port.

INSPECTION OP COLONIAL MEAT. In the House of Commons on Saturday night the member for Mid-Armagh, Mr. Dunbar Barton, asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether any representations had reached him to the effect that there was no proper inspection of the cattle slaughtered in Australia for exportation as frozen meat to England; and whether any steps could be taken by the Department towards improving the present system of inspection. Mr Long answered that representations to the effect indicated in the question had been made to the Board early in the current year, and information was obtained as to the measures taken in certain of the Australian Colonies to prevent the exportation of meat unfiit for human food. The information was communicated to the Local Government Board, with whom, said the member for West Derby, it rests to consider whether any further measures for the security of human health in this country are necessary and practicable.