FIFTY YEARS AGO

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21912, 22 September 1934, Page 8

FIFTY YEARS AGO

EARLY MUTTON EXPORTS PREJUDICES IN ENGLAND Fifty years ago New Zealand refrigel* a ted mutton, the first shipment of which had been despatched on February 15, 1882, was beginning to win general favour in Great Britain, in the face of very considerable prejudice. The Nkw Zealand Heraxd of September I 23, 1884, reports on a display of New Zealand frozen meat at the great Health Exhibition in South Kensington that year. Here a special "New Zealand grill' had been erected, "with the object of overcoming the stupid prejudices that are hindering the consumption of frozen meat in England." Meals ot all types were provided, most ot the food used being made from New Zealand produce. The special correspondent of the Hkrai.d reported that the trade was extending very greatly, particularly in country orders, which, it was feared, were being sold by unscrupulous shopkeepers as English mutton. Strangely enough, the trade was reported to be better iu the West End of London than among the poorer classes, who believed that, since the meat was cheap, it must be bad. *■ Prices ranged from 3d per lb. for neclcs and 5d per lb. for forequarterl to 9d for shoulders and loins. Elsewhere in the exhibition was # very pretentious restaurant, called the "English grill." The correspondent says that when he asked the manager if New Zealand mutton,was used there the manager a horrified look: " No. sir: we have none of that stuff here." When the correspondent said he was from New Zealand, ever, he was conducted to the head chef, and then found that more than half of the mutton used came froai New Zealand.