MEAT EXPORT FROM AUSTRALIA TO AUSTRIA.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1197, 8 February 1895, Page 5

MEAT EXPORT FROM AUSTRALIA TO AUSTRIA.

In reference! to this, we (Adelaide paper) received by last mail a communication from a German doctor in Bohemia who formerly resided for some time in Australia. He siys that the extreme prices ruling in Europe, and more especially in the AustroHungarian empire, during the last summer, the poorer classes to look foi a cheaper market. The doctoi' and others drew, the attention of the public to shipments of Australian beef, and now (during the months of September and October) there is eager inquiry for Australian meats. Several business men in Vienna, Prague, etc., have taken the sale of Australian meat in hand. A considerable “number of people in the large cities, such as workmen in factories and other badly-paid men and womeh, rejoice at the prospects of being able to obtain cheaper meat, yet the greed of the vendors keeps prices still proportionately high, and the opposition of cattle-breeders and carcase butchers to developing a trade in Australian meat is, of course, very strong, and they do everything to run down the quality. For all that, the question of importing Australian meat must become a fact. Its importance has already been fully recognised, and the chief sanitary authorities for Austria will allow the import on the following conditions-

1. The importer must furnish a certificate, attested by a duly qualified veterinarian in Australia, that the cattle were perfectly healthy before slaughtering, and also that the meat was found to be in good sound condition after slaughtering. The certificate must also be attested by an Austrian consul in Australia. 2. It must jUscrhe proved to the satisfaction of "The authorities that the meat has been conveyed (transported) in accordance with sanitary and hygienic rules. 3. Thit the meat be sold immediately after arrival to the consuming public without interference by brokers or other jobbers.

It will, in any case, interest the Australian exporters to know these regulations, and it would be to the advantage of Australian shippers to send an expert to Austria to observe how Australian meat is handled there. The rest of the article points out the advisability of sending a man with full powers (after having formed a syndicate of Australian exporters) to prevent some unscrupulous speculators and dealers,.,, of which there are already several, spoiling the trade for ever. Now is the time for Australian exporters to take the matter in their own hands, and to establish halls for the sale of Australian meat in the large towns, such as Vienna, Prague, Biiinn, Pilsen, Budweis, Iglan, etc , where the public could buy good meat at reasonable prices: without having to treat with middlemen.—Adelaide German Gazette.

An orchard ist in South Wairarapa is adopting, a new plan with his fruit trees to keep the ground moist over the roots during the summer months. He works the ground all round the tree and gives it a good dressing of manure. The ground is then covered with a good layer of rushes. He holds that digging about the roots of fruit trees does harm—that the rootlets should be allowed to come nearer the surface, instead of having to strike down for sustenance. The layer of rushes prevents the moisture in the soil evaporating, weeds or grass have no chance to grow, and the rushes in two years turn to manure, when a fresb layer can be laid <?n.