FROZEN MEAT.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVII, Issue 2519, 24 May 1895, Page 3

FROZEN MEAT.

PROPOSED CONFERENCE.

PRECAUTIONS AGAINST PLEUEO-

PNEUMONIA.

A deputation from the Wellington Agricultural and Pastoral Association consisting of Messrs E. W. Mills (president), W. E. Bidwill, Milliard, Stuckey and Wilberfoss (acting-secretary) waited upon tho Premier yesterday afternoon.

Mr Mills explained that the deputation camo at the request of people who were arranging for tho bettor distribution of frozen meat supplies at Home, and they wished to urge the Government to render assistance by procuring information regarding tho Homo markets for a conference of delegates on this subject. Mr Millward mentioned that while not exactly backing up Air D. J. Nathan’s sehemo they recognised the importance of having a conference to thoroughly ventilate tho subject, and if tho Government would, cable to Mr Ward to enquire into tho distribution of frozen meat supplies at Homo and to obtain all available information on that matter, and tho opening up of fresh markets, it would prove very valuable data for tho conference to deal with. Mr Mills said tho second question which tho deputation wished to bring beforo tho Premier was the necessity of taking all possible precautions against tho introduction of pleuro-pneumonia to this Colony. Tho subject had been introduced by Mr Stuckey at a meeting of the committee of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association that day. Ho had called attention to tho fact that tho carcases of two beasts on board tho Perthshire suffering from pleuropneumonia were thrown overboard just after that vessel left Lyttelton, and that ono of the carcases floated ashore at New Brighton. The committee, after discussing tho matter, passed the following resolution: —“ 1. That tho committee of the Wellington Agricultural and Pastoral Association views with alarm the outbreak of plouro-pneumonia in Lyttelton Harbour amongst a cargo of Australian caltlo, 2. That tho foregoing resolution bo sent to tho Hon Minister of Agriculture, requesting tho Government to prevent any more Australian cattle entering a Now Zealand port ivhilst in transit to England, particularly as tho carcase of ono of tho animals suffering from the aforesaid disease has been found on tho beach at New Brighton."

, Mr Miliward pointed out that pleuropneumonia was a very contagious disease, and that as cattle would naturally collect round a carcase there was groat danger of tho disease spreading. It had been exterminated in England at very great cost. Mr Bidwijl said if tho disease were once introduced it would spread with very groat rapidity. Mr Stuckey thought it possible that as one of the carcases thrown over from the Perthshire had floated ashore at New Brighton, tho ether carcase might now be lying on some other part of the coast. Ho believed pleuro-pneuraonia was to bo found all oyer Australia, Tho Premier believed this was admitted to be tho case, but it was worse in Queensland than in tho other colonies. As regarded tho conference upon tho subject of tho frozen meat export, freights, Ac., ho might say that some weeks ago he cabled to tho Hon Mr Ward in London, drawing his attention to tho <act that Now Zealand shippers

were paying at least a farthing a pound more in freight than shippers from tho other colonies, and asking- him to make arrangements, if possible, to obtain a reduction of the freights, and to obtain the fullest information,' The Government were directly interested, because they wore very largo shippers themselves. Ho was-given to understand that tho extra charge of a farthing a pound in freight on Now Zealand shipments did not apply to Nelson Bros., but that they had a varying rate with th,o ship-owners according to the prices realised by Nelson Bros., 0° that in eases where their meat brought a low price tho rate of freight charged them might bo even less than that ruling from the Australian colonies. However, now that these largo cargo boats were running to New Zealand, it was the duty of tho Government to help tho pastoral interests aq far as they could in view ot the Iqw prices ruling at Home. So far as getting the fullest information for the proposed Conference he would bo only too glad to wire to tho Hon Mr Ward to' that effect. Ho would also inform him of tho recommendation that had been made for the holding of a conference, from which he thought good might result. 110 presumed the deputation considered the conference should not take place until MiWard’s return. [Mr Mills : Yes.] That being tho case ho would communicate with the Minister for Agriculture, and he was prepared to say on behalf of the Government they would favourably entertain tho question of holding such a conference, and would offer all necessary facilities tor holding it. He took that opportunity of saying that very great credit was due to Mr D, J. Nathan for the persistency witii which he had been bringing this Important matter under tho notice Of the producers and those interested in tho meat freezing business. Whilst, of course, he did not endorse Mr Nathan’s scheme he thought the pfteot of bringing it under the notice of those more particularly interested would eventually result in good, and therefore Mr Nathan deserved every credit, and he hoped he would persevere. From the conference something would be evolved beneficial to all concerned. Mr Mills said of course tho deputation did not endorse Mr Nathan’s scheme. At the samo time it was a matter for open conference.

The Premier said that as regarded the Perthshire’s cattle a great deal of credit was due to the Government officers for the promptitude of their action. _ Before tho vessel arrived at Lyttelton it was suspected there was something wrong, and when a post-mortem examination of tho beast that died there was refused by tho captain, the officers of the Government, acting in accordance with the power given them by the law, killed one of the beaofe, qpd found it presented a clear case of plßurOrpneunioilia. ’ 'flip peiifc qiies? tion was what steps the Government should take. It was at first suggested there should be great care taken in shipping from Queensland, and that a certificate should accompany each shipment, bufc the Minister for Agriculture said, “ Ho, the risk is too great ( we bad the disease in Hew Zealand once, and now that we are again clear wo will run no more risks. The best thing to do is to pass an Ordor-in-Conncil prohibiting altogether these vessels, when loaded with cattle, from coming to our ports.” Accordingly, that very morning the Executive Council had passed an Order-in-Conncil absolutely prohibiting the “ introduction into tho colony of New Zealand from the colony of Queensland ■ of all cattle, and also of fresh meat, skiffs, hides, hair, horns, hoofs, offal or other parts of any such apimab and of all bay, straw, and fodder, and of all fittings which havo been used in tho transport of any such animal.” This regulation would ho issued that evening in a Gazette Extraordinary. Ho thought tho deputation would flnd'tlio Government had been glivo to their responsibilities! iff this matter/ ' ’ ■'

Mr Stuckey drew attention to a Press Association telegram reporting tho Victorian Minister for Agriculture to have said at Melbourne the other day " that the greatest care is exercised in Victoria in examining meat and - cattle for export, whereas there is no Government oversight in Now South Wales or Now Zealand.” He thought this imputation should be refuted at once so far as Now Zealand was concerned.

The Premier said it would not do to judge the Victorian Minister upon this report i it might not bo correct. If he did use suolv an expression, all ho (Mr Soddpn) need say was that there was pone of tho colonies that had taken the ere New Zealand had taken in the past and was taking now j in fact, Now Zealand was tho only clean colony, and this, was a complete answer in itself. Being clean, thei e was no necessity here for the supervision of cattle intended for immediate expoi t. The Imperial authorities admitted our cattle, whilst they did not admit cattle from the other colonies, and when pleuro-priouraonia was discovered to bo op board the Perthshire, he took earo to at once inform the Agent-General of wbat had occurred so that ho might put tho matter very clearly before tho British public. He (Mr Seddon) also wired to tho Premier of Queensland on the subject, and he would now communicate with the Premiers of the other colonies. In fact it would bo unjust to ouw farmers and pastoralists to leave thehi exposed’ to any ' danger fr° m this sduroo which might injure onr markets. Mr Stuckey thought our cattle might run a risk if steamers which took Homo Australian cattle —perhaps infected—came out to this Colony immediately afterwards. It was difficult to detect the disease.

The Premier pointed out that any cattle brought out from Home would bo quarantined a curtain time, and if no disease developed eitherduring the voyage or during quarantine 'after arrival they might be taken to I be all right. Tho authorities would have to bo more exacting after this. In the case of any snch vessel, the quarantine would not be relaxed, but would probably be extended.

By Telegraph.—Frees Association.—Copyright. London, May 23. Mr Hotson, of the Newport Meat Freezing Works, Victoria, expects the English

trd.de to improve in tho autumn. Ho has paid a visit to Paris, but the French Govern trier, t do not show any sign of willingness to relax the present _ restrictions, London, he is well provided with means for the distribution of L ozon meat, but ox tension and encourage'* menfc were urgently required in the provinces- Ho forecasts a great future for a direct trade with Manchester and Glasgow.