Frozen Mutton Irade,

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXIX, Issue 151, 28 June 1895, Page 2

Frozen Mutton Irade,

and tbe result is an eye-opener. London correspondents of the Times and others who aot as chorus to any ourrent yarn, have for years told us that the Smithfield butohers have wickedly conspired to sell our mutton as prime English,' and have thus robbed the New Zealand farmer of all his profits and part of his stock as well. Mr Duthie went to the markets and saw for himself, and the sight was one to make a New Zealander ashamed. The mutton was badly butohered, bruised and out of shape— these faults do not He with the farmers. It was generally out of condition, and far from first-olass quality, even legs of mutton marked " wether " did not require an expert to know them as •■ewe," and ancient at that ;—these shortcomings rest with the grower. The meat in oil casos was pale and flabby, and anything but nice to look upon— whioh the freezing and thawing is to be blamed for. But the Smithfield butcher is now provea to have been an unjustly slandered individual, and our farmers must look nearer home for the oauses of low prices, The candid truths Mr Duthie has told about our meat may be unwoloome, but they are very wholesome and it is to be hoped will have a salutary efleot,