OTTAWA PROBLEMS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21245, 27 July 1932, Page 11

OTTAWA PROBLEMS

MEAT INDUSTRY *- SUPPLIES FOR BRITAIN SOUTH AFRICA'S BID AUSTRALIAN CONCERN / /. CHILLING DIFFICULTY By T«lesrapli-yPre»* ' Association—Copyright (Received July 20, 5.5 p.m.) OTTAWA. July 25 The development at the Empire Economic Conference of Smith Africa declaring herself as a potential exporter of chilled beef involves further consideration of the whole meat position, which daily takes on more importance as the one matter in which Australia is particularly anxious she shall receive assistance. It is recognised that Britain, as the importer of 8 per cent of the world's beef exports, may well say to Australia: " Our people prefer chilled beef. You cannot supply it. Do you insist upon forcing frozen beef upon us?" South Africa has already scut satisfactory trial shipments of chilled beef to England. Australia is still experimenting, but Mr. S. M. Bruce indicates that she could enter the chilled trade on a big scale before South Africa could be ready to do so. Argentina's Trading Facilities Although Australian m'cat experts dcelaro that an effective chilling process is available they do not express enthusiasm about the prospect of Australia at an-early date i anging /herself as a direct, competitor with Argentina. One of the difficulties is that Argentina's distribution is facilitated by a chain of retail shops throughout Britain and her beef j reaches the' consumer with a minimum of delay after it is'discharged from the ship. That Australia could eventually make , identical retailing arrangements the experts are aware. Dr. Moran and his colleagues, experimenting at the low temperature research station at Cambridge, recently doubled the " life " of pieces of beef at the ordinary chdl temperature of 32-33 degrees, by | adding to the air 20 per cent of carbon j dioxide gas. This process is already known J in Australia as gas control or air control, j Claims lor Gas Control Process It is claimed that this process would j assure beef loaded in Queensland ports being landed, in Britain, even after 10 ! weeks on the. voyage, still in perfect condition, superior to frozen and with its texture undamaged and its flavour, food value and appearance equal to fresh beef. This would be in contrast with beef winch suffers a breakdown of the cells under the IcAv temperature freezing process universally practised in Australia. This chilling, which involves a partial vacuum and requires that the cool chamber door shall not be opened during a voyage, delays the growth of moulds and , putrefactive bacteria. The gas acts as a mild and entirely harmless antiseptic. It j is believed that the addition of only 10 ' per cent of carbon dioxide gas would be j sufficient to carry cargoes from Australia 1 to London. / .'No Chance of Immediate Change j Another consideration is that chilled carcases must hang so as to allow air to reach all sicles, unlike frozen carcases which can be closely stacked. This would involve the reconditioning of steamers and the greater space needed would mean heavier freight charges. It is- obvious that Australia cannot immediately embark upon regular export of chilled beef, nor are the experts confident that trade would, reach any volume for a few years. Therefore the case at- Ottawa will bo fought on the question of preference for frozen over chilled meat. Moreover the difficulty is increased by the fact that the Queensland meat industry is a seasonal one. The. beef can be fattened only six months in the year. Whereas Argen- ] tina can send any quantity at any time j in accordance with the London marker's requirements, Australia's shipments are rigidly seasonal. DOMINIONS' PLANS // ENGLISH PAPER'S COMMENT OUTLOOK "NOT ENCOURAGING" LONDON, July 25 The Manchester Guardian says the general propositions of the Dominions j Ministers at Ottawa are not encouraging, j After depreciating the value of Mr. Ben- i nett's offer it says Mr. Bruce even more j / explicitly seeks to insist upon British food ' taxes as the price for more advantageous ; preferences on British exports. New Zealand also, says the paper, is | delightfully frank in suggesting a reduc- . tion of the rates on British goods where possible with increased foreign duties, j South Africa makes no bones about, the j Sort of British food taxes she would like, j " There is not much in all this to in- j spire us to hope for miraculous results i from the conference," concludes the writer. I - , | — t