THE FROZEN MEAT INDUSTRY

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXVI, Issue 229, 1 October 1902, Page 4

THE FROZEN MEAT INDUSTRY

REPORT OF PARLIAMENTARY

COMMITTEE.

A ROYAL COMMISSION

SUGGESTED.

Press Association. Electric Telegraph

Copyright.

Wellington, September 30.

The report of the Select Committee set up by the House to consider the condition of the frozen meat industry suggests that, as the magnitude of the interests involved are so great, the Governor should be requested to set up a Royal Commission to go fully into the matter.

The Committee regards the complaints made, especially by freezers in the Wellington and Hawke's Fay districts as to the smaller prices obtained by them as compared with those obtainable in the South Island, as fully proved. It was abundantly shown that, as things stand at present, the bulk of the sheep produced in many of the North Island districts are not of equal value with those produced in the South. This may be accounted for firstly by the breed ; but still the Committee is of opinion that the prices paid in the provinces of Wellington and Hawke's Bay are not of equal value to the producer to those obtainable by the sellers in the South Island. The retson for this is that there is not the same competition in the North in regard to the purchase of fat sheep. The market system has been considerably developed in the South, and the result is an average standard of prices not obtainable in the North Island. Until some method can be devised of concentrating fat stock for sale at various centres in the North Island, thus introducing a larger number of buyers, there is not much chance of improvement in prices. The present supply of fat sheep unduly taxes the capacity of the North Island freezing works, and it appears clear that, unless increased accommodation is provided, difficulty will be experienced in handling sheep fit for export. The direct solution of the difficulty would be combination amongst the farmers themselves and a Co-operative Association, of which, uufortunately. there appeared to be little prospect.

The chief evil in connection with the sale of New Zealand frozen meat in London and other Unitcsd Kingdom markets appear to be that it is within the power of individual owners, salesmen or agents to weaken, and in frequent cases, to cause a decided slump in the market through placing quantities of mutton or lamb upon it an in opportune, times and at less than current rates. The trade will never be on a sound footing until a central board is set up in London with power to fix the prices from day to day and thus to regulate and control the sales.