FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15514, 22 January 1914, Page 7

FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

NEW ZEALAND PRODUCE.

DRESSING -AT FAULT.

DUE TO . CARELESSNESS.

By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright

(Received January 21. 9.55 p.m.)

London, January 21. The Empire Trade Commission heard further evidence yesterday. Mr. Gilbert Anderson, representing the incorporated meat importers, complained of the multiplicity of brands, necessitating a delay in the sorting of carcases, and suggested the grouping of small consignments. He complained that the dressing of New Zealand meat had deteriorated through carelessness. High-class traders sometimes refused to accept delivery.

One large importer had told the witness that 'she superior dressing of the Argentine mutton added a farthing a pound.

Mr. George Munroe, fruit merchant, Covent Garden, combated Mr. Hume Cook's statements in Melbourne on May 2, accusing the Covent Garden auctioneers of selling to the Australian • shippers' disadvantage. The statement, he said, was preposterous. Commenting on the evidence of Mr. Benson, the Director of Agriculture for Tasmania, witness declared he did not think that the proposed distributing organisation would be any improvement on the present competitive system. Relying on the evidence of Mr; Jacoby, Perth, Mr!..Munroe said that Hamburg, although able to distribute large quantities of the choicest fruit, was unable to keep up the average of prices for a general consignment as in London. Large Tasmanian consignments of apples had been diverted to London because there was a better market than in Hamburg. *■