THE MEAT EXPORT TRADE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume X, Issue 4206, 6 September 1888, Page 3

THE MEAT EXPORT TRADE.

Events promise that New Zealand will soon have an active competitor in the Australian frozen meat trade. The Central Queensland Meat Export Company and Messrs Tyser and Co., steamship owners, have entered into a contract by which the latter firm, on and after March next, will supply seven steamers of 7000 tons register to convey 800 tons of meat monthly from the works of the Company at Fitzroy River, Rockhampton, Queensland. to London, at a consolidated charge of lfd per lb, inoluding killing, freezing, wrapping the carcases, and insuran'oe. The Company has conducted its negotiations in a very businesslike way, and there is every reason to believe that its efforts will be attended with financial success. Since its formation the Company has been engaged in the tinned meat industry, the heavy freights oharged having prevented it from sending frozen meat to Europe. The P.* and 0., Orient, and British India Companies were approached to ascertain if they would undertake the carriage, but they would not come to terms. Messrs Tyser and Co., however, literally jumped at the offer, and are so confident that they can fulfil the contraot that they have accepted a liability of LBOOO for each steamer whfch they would be willing to forfeit should they fail to have at its berth at the appointed time. A syndicate of London butchers have agreed to take 250 tons of meat from the company, who believe that the same purchasers will purchase 550 tons of mntton per month, which makes the consignment reach the total of 800 tons per month. The feature in thfc scheme is that delivery is to be direct from the ships to the batchers' establishments. In this way the middlemen will be obliterated, and there will be no charges for storage In cooling sheds. The price expected to be obtained for meat in London i 3 4Jd per lb, which will yield the company a good profit. The beef is to be supplied by stockowners in the Rockhampton district at Bchedale prices, which will not vary whether cattle are scarce or plentiful. The Bheep will be contributed on owners' account and will be shipped in large lots. It is in this way that the company will benefit Queensland squatters. At present the supply of stock iB too great for the intercolonial markets, and the surplus stock will be got rid of at a profit to the owners. The majority of the shareholders are paßtoralists, who have not only guaranteed to supply the sheep required, but have promised to inflaenoe trade to Messrs Tyser and Co.'s boats. The existing steamship companies will thus find a considerable amount of trade withdrawn from their bottoms, and will have a very active competitor to fight against for the carrying business of Australia.—Star's Melbonrne correspondent.