FROZEN MEAT TRADE AND THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10252, 2 October 1896, Page 4 (Supplement)

FROZEN MEAT TRADE AND THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

IMPORTANT REPORT OF THE STOCK COMMITTEE. The report of the Joinb Agricultural, Pastoral, and Stock Committee in regard to reforms in connection with the frozen meat, industry was laid on the table of both Houses on Sep. 28. It will be remembered that the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association presented a petition to Parliament asking for an enquiry as to the conduct of the frozen meat trade, and as to whether the railway charges could bu reduced. The Committee have jusb completed an exhaustive inquiry, ; and no v report as follows regarding tne frozen meat trade and the dairy industry :— FROZEN MEAT. The Committee undertook this inquiry with the object of tracing, as far as possible, how the very serious losses that have occurred to cargoes of frozen meat have arisen, and how such can be remedied in future. From the evidence tendered, the Committee have come to the following conclusions, the adoption of which is recommended That inspection in the colony is necessary; that such inspection shall ( be performed by officers selected by an Association of Freezing Companies in the colony; that failing the freezing companies associating within six months of the passing of the legislation and making the necessary appointments for inspection, the Governor shall take the necessary steps to secure/ efficient inspection; that the regulations shall provide the time which cattle or sheep intended for export as frozen meat shall be killed after arrival at the freezing establishment ; that no carcases shall be removed from the freezing chamber for shipment until after at least six days for cattle and three days for sheep; that a certificate that the above regulations have been complied with shall be given by the inspector when the meat leaves the freezing works, and shall be produced ac the vessel; that the vessel shall have the responsibility of passing all meab received, and shall reject doubtful carcases; that inspection of the freezing chambers of vessels shall be made prior to the meat being taken in and a certificate given; before giving such' certificate the inspector shall satisfy himself that the insulation is sufficiently cooled; that all vessels carrying frozen meab shall bo fitted with self-registering thermometers; that in addition, the captain and engineer of all vessels shall daily examine and separately record the temperature of tho chambers; that inspection of meat cargoes on the arrival of vessels in London shall be provided for, and it shall be the duty of such inspector to report the condition the cargo has arrived in and the temperature recorded in the chambers during' the voyage, and shall report in case of damaged cargo how such damage has arisen. With respect to the railway arrangements for the carriage of ' meab in the colony, the inquiry has tended to show that the railway authorities have, in most instances,' given, reasonable facilities; that special consideration should be given in freight charges to companies whose works are ab a long distance from port ; also, that the trucks in use are satisfactory, but that additional rolling stock is required. The Committee desire, however, to express the opinion thab it should be an instruction to railway Department to give speedy transit to meat trains, and stoppage for any lengthened time in transit should be avoided. As to the charges made for carriage of meat, wo do not consider them excessive. THE DAIRY INDUSTRY. . Respecting the dairy industry, the report stated that the Committee have examined expert witnesses representing various parts of the colony on the dairy industry, and were gratified to learn.thab the prospects are hopeful, and the appliances provided for carrying on the work greatly improved. The Committee are of opinion that the Railway Department should comply with the requests of'the smaller factories by meeting them as tar. as possible on the question of reducid rates on. the carriage of small parcels. The evidence satisfied the Committee that the principle of grading has had a beneficial result to trade; at the same time, ib was made abundantly clear that home buyers relied much more upon a sample test than upon brands donoting the respective grades. - The Committee! arc satisfied that the Railway Department i; doing its best to meet the requirements "of the trade. ~ ;.-/- ',? ....