FROZEN MEAT INDUSTRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13647, 15 January 1908, Page 7

FROZEN MEAT INDUSTRY.

10-OPERATION OF COMPANIES i ; • ■ : '.M ". ~ .■ .'•■'"'■.'."■'■' j I BETTER FACILITIES ON LONDON ' || ' N . '■ " MARKET. ■ ',!,! :■.'.■■■ : .. ■ •1* INTERVIEW WITH MR. STRINGER. r: 5 here has been much interest throughout - Jto Dominion in connection with tho proposed co-operation of North Island companies, and also much misconception regarding the object, the movement being frequently ;eierred to as "a combine." , Yesterday a Herald representative intervfewed Mr. Stringer, secretary to the Auckland Farmers' Freezing Company, in connection with the proposals. Mr. Stringer ; laughed at the idea of a combine in the : generally accepted sense of the term, remarking that the co-operation proposed was in the best interests of the sheep-breeder, snd of the roputation of New Zealand meat. : He went on to say that it was well known .that New Zealand suffered very considerable loss through the freezing industry not being directly represented at Home. At [present nearly a v ll the agents at Home had Bo special interest in New Zealand meat r—that was, no interest more than in the ineat.from Australia or the Argentine—and jwere not concerned that New Zealand meat should be sold more than any of the other Wats. There was no attempt on the part if the agents to do more than simply effect sales at such a price as would command an easy and ready sale for whatever article j hey had at disposal. There had never been iny practical interest on the part of the Agents in solving difficulties of the trakle, x finding new markets, or in placing any iff finding a price commensurate with its irand at a price commensurate with its [uality. Contradictory reports were sent but from time to time", especially in regard . to quality, and various claims were made because the sheep were of some particular Character, such as merino, which had long finoe ceased to influence the flocks here. There was no one at Home to study and jipcn up new markets, and report as to the .Various causes which led, to the extraordinary fluctationa in price from time to Lime.'. These were some of the disadvantages freezing companies in New Zealand laboured under. ; Then, again, Mr. Stringer-went on to say, there was no one to report on tho actual Statistical position from time to time, and Consequently the high prices which might be realised in the market were seldom gained by the shipper, and there was no one in authority to advise in reference to the proper discharge of the perishable goods. It was well known that the freezing companies an New Zealand took the greatest care m the slaughtering, dressing, freezing, and shipping of meat, and it was put on board an thoroughly clean condition and well frozen. But some of those interested in the industry, who had been Home, reported that lit was painful to see the carelessness displaced in the discliarge of the meat, and the' filthy condition in which some of the tearcases arrived. All these matters could fee improved if there were someone with gaithority to act for the companies. ■ These were the arguments for co-opera-tion. The object of the conference was to bring the various companies together to see •that the New Zealand meat wad properly bandied and properly placed on the market, 'and new markets opened up. It was not a tpmbine, but simply a co-operation for the protection of the industry. As a matter of Lot. the co-operation Would be of more tenefit to the producer than anyone else, •for it would mean that with better markets at Home the sheep bleeder would -realise "better prices here. One of the ideas was •ffo have a properly qualified agent in London for all New Zealand meat, to look ■after the discharging of cargo, and report as to new markets, etc.—someone who was (more interested in New Zealand meat than an the mere commission on the sale. There •Was no idea of increasing freezing charges, wnd, as a matter of fact, the co-operation «sl»uld reduce charges, because, by leading, >%a better trade on the Home market, and '•therefore increased consumption, it would 'mean larger quantities going through; it tlways followed in freezing that the larger «he quantity handled tho cheaper the freezing could be done.