CHILLED MEAT

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 2314, 5 December 1925, Page 7

CHILLED MEAT

A consignment or meat was shipped to London by the steamer Port Darwin. It was carried at chilled temperature —not frozen—in a specially-pre-pared chamber on the steamer, and kept chilled by a patent process.

Tho object of th e shipment was to demonstrate that beef could be carried sucessfully in a chilled condition over the long voyage from Australia to England, and so pave the way for regular supplies of Australian chilled meat, instead of frozen meat, to compete in England and Europe with the chilled beef from Argentine. Hitherto only frozen beef had been exported successfully from Australia to Britain, and that, of course, could not compete with chilled beef. It was expected that the Port Darwin’s passage to London would occupy from 42-to 45 days, which is about tho average time for a refrigeration steamer to complete the trip from Australia. But unforscen events caused deviations and delays on the voyage, and the journey .occupied .63 days. Nevertheless, the meat was in excellent condition when it arrived in London, and realised Id a pound above the xiricos for frozen beef, and only id a lb. below th e prices paid for the best Argentine chilled beef. The delay was really a blessing in disguise, because it emphasised the success of the new chiling process, and proved that in future chilled beef from Australia would bo a thing to be reckoned with on tho’London market. ■ , '. _ The shipment completely dispelled the prevailing idea that chilled beef could not be carried over the long distance between Australia and England. In fact, a feAV days before the arrival of tna beef in London some lof the highest authorities hi the British meat trade had publicly stated that chilled beef would never be carried from Australia, but on the day of the sale one of these men confessed that the success of the shipment made him eat his own words. Extraordinary interest was shown by every section of tho meat industry, and by the High Commissioners and trade commissioners of the Australian States, New Zealand, and South Africa. Representatives of shipping companies, naval architects, importers and other representatives of the wholesale and retail meat trade •attended the sale of the meat at Smithfieid. The beef was kept lor inspection till midday, and its quality and “bloom of youth” was excellent. It was sold in small quantities amongst the London butcheis, and from reports received they were all thoroughly satisfied with it. The meat was inspected by the port medical officer and the medical officers of the City of London, and not one ounce was condemned.