CARRIAGE OF PRODUCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20402, 2 November 1929, Page 15

CARRIAGE OF PRODUCE.

COOL STORAGE PROBLEMS. LACK OF BLOOM IN MEAT. EXTENSIVE INVESTIGATION. ENGLISH SCIENTISTS ARRIVE. An important investigation on a comprehensive scale into cool storage problems relating to the marketing abroad of New Zealand foodstuffs, particularly meat, has been entered upon with the arrival from England of Dr. Ezer Griffiths, F.R.S., and three assistants, who landed at Auckland from the Rangitiki yesterday. Dr. Griffiths, who is principal assistant in the physics department of the National Physical Laboratory at Tedclington, Middlesex, has a world-wide reputation as an authority on temperatures and humidity. >

Dr. Griffiths said that he could not at this stage make any statement regarding tho mission on which lie was engaged. He mentioned, however, as being a notable recent development in regard to the carriage of perishable foodstuffs, the expenditure by the South African Government, after lengthy investigation, of £IIO,OOO on a prc-cooling plant. Oranges, plums, nectarines and other delicate fruits which had thus been placed at exactly the right temperature for transport before being placed on the ship, had arrived in verygood condition. The venture had been a remarkable success. Four Months in Dominion. Dr. E. Marsden, Director of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, and Mr. J. Fraser, manager of the Meat Producers' Board, met Dr. Griffiths and his party, consisting of Dr. J. R. Vickery, Mr. R. R. Haddow and Mr. N. Holmes, the last-named of whom has been loaned from the Australian Depart ment of Scientific Research

The scope and importance of the investigation which Dr. Griffiths is directing were explained by Dr. Marsden. "The subject involved is one of extremely great importance for New Zealand, since proper transport means the delivery of our foodstuffs in an attractive condition' to the ultimate consumer," he said. "The mission has been arranged between the New Zealand Meat Board, the Empire Marketing Board, the British Department of Scientific arid Industrial Research, and the similar department in New Zealand, to work on conditions of storage and transport of foodstuffs, particularly meat, right from slaughter to the ultimate consumer. In particular, the mission is to investigate the causes, or contributing causes, of alleged lack oi bloom in certain shipments. Dr. Griffiths and his assistants are to work in conjunction with Dr. M. Barnett and Mr. C. R. Barnicoat, of the New Zealand Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, in a really comprehensive investigation extending over four months in New Zealand and on certain selected ships on the way to England." Most Extensive Survey Yet.

At the close of the four months in tho Dominion the party will split up, each of the members travelling on a different ship in order to continue the investigations during actual transport. "The scientists have brought extensive and delicate measuring apparatus, and their inquiries will be made not only from a physical and engineering point of view but also from a biological point of view, as to changes in foodstuffs due to variation of temperaturo and humidity," Dr. Marsdon added. "Dr. Griffiths and Dr. Vickery nave already had extensive experience in connection with shipments of foodstuffs from South Africa, and, to a certain extent, from Australia, but this is the most comprehensive and extensive survey yet undertaken." After meeting the heads of the various freezing works in Auckland Dr. Griffiths is to leave on Monday night for Wellington, where a meeting will be held to finalise tho programme of investigations.