MARKING MUTTON.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1204, 29 March 1895, Page 5

MARKING MUTTON.

to the editor. Sib, —Letters have appeared from time to time advocating the branding of meat for export, but without arguments that t can lay hold of in its favour. I think I am right in asserting that there is no law in existence prohibiting the marking of any kind of meat, and, taking that for granted ] I think we might safely leave matters as they stand and allow exporters and those interested in the trade to be ithe best judges of their own business. If they find it to their profit to mark their carcases, they will not be slow to avail themselves of the chance. I daresay soma people run away with the idea that inferior mutton is sold for the New Zealand article, but these good people may rest assured that the trade at Home are quite alive to their own interests, and make no mistake as to the port from whence a shipment of mutton comes. Indeed, they are still better informed on the subject, for they can distinguish between the quality of Canterbury mutton and that from otherparts of New Zealand. Now, in the face of all this, why should Parliament be called upon to introduce a piece of; gratuitous legislation when at present a, free choice exists ? I say, sir, Let "Wel.j& Aeons*!