DRIED MEAT

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24281, 23 May 1942, Page 6

DRIED MEAT

ORDER FROM BRITAIN] 100 TONS MONTHLY MORE PLANT NECESSARY • An order for 100 tons of dehydrated meat a month has been received by the New Zealand Government from the Government of Britain. A few weeks ago a press message from Australia stated that, following trial shipment of 10 rour-gallon drumg of dehydrated mutton to England/each drum containing the equivalent of 32 sheep, an order had been given to Australia for 20,000 tons, valued at more than £6,000,000. Last week the Dominion Farmers' Union executive waited upon the Hon. J, G. Barclay, Minister of Marketing, to emphasise the importance of this new development) of the meat industry and the possibility, of New Zealand engaging in the trade. Simple Equipment

Advice has now been received by Mr, A. E. Robinson, secretary of the Auckland branch of the union, from the Minister that the order to Australia is for the same quantity as from New Zealand. Mr. Robinson stated last night that the dehydration of meat was being satisfactorily carried out in Auckland. but there was not yet the plant to give an output of 100 tons a month.

However, the equipment was of a simple character, the materials were in the country and the presumption wag that installations would be made at meat works, their proper place for economic working. The army in Australia some time ago took over the only dehydration plant that then existed to supply dried mutton to troops at battle stations remote from sources of fresh meat, k Auckland Sample Dehydrated mutton in the form of cubes processed in Auckland was sampled in a stew by a soldier of the last war, who was agreeably surprised at its flavour and tenderness after it had reabsorbed moisture. He predicted for it a warm welcome by soldiers and people with a very small meat ration. An interesting point mentioned by an Australian correspondent is that enough dehydrated mutton to feed 200 men can be packed in. a four-gallon tin. Thus its transport means great economy of tonnage and, furthermore, it can be carried as ordinary cargo, no chilling or refrigeration being necessary. A sample taken by Mr. A. E. Robinson and Mr. H. M. Rush worth when they visited the East Indies toward the end of last year showed no deterioration upon their return, although temperatures up to 107 degrees had been encountered. The future of the industry will probably depend upon the maintenance of a uniform standard in the product. In the meantime, the size of the British order may be taken as an indication that trial shipments have been favourably judged. 4