THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14715, 24 December 1909, Page 4

THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE

IMPROVED REGULATION NECESSARY.

" If we arc too indolent and too indifferent to look after our frozen meat trade for ourselves, Messrs Swift and Company, the American packers, or some such business people, will probably be pleased to manage it for us."

The speaker was Mr R. M'Leod. of Islay Downs, who ha„ just returned to the Dominion from an extended trip round the world, in the course of which he made close inquiries with regard to the condition of the frozen meat industry,—

" When I was in London/' Mr M'Leod said to a representative of the Otago Daily Times, " I found that tho condition of our frozen meat market was not satisfactory. Some people suggest otic reason for this; others have another explanation; but no one seems to devise a remedy. Certainly I have read a suggestion by a writer in your columns that our farmers should take a lower price for their fat stock. This is an easy remedy truly, but what about the poor farmer,, who is already overweighted. Wo nhist find a more practicable way out of the difliculty than this.

" Would you suggest a remedy ?" "In my opinion a better system of regulation and distributing is more likely to meet things. Have more direct control over our produce, doing away with all unnecessary middlemen; have all our exported meat go through the one channel, and have suitable storage to receive it on arrival at Home, from whii'h to distribute as the demand may warrant; open distributing shops in the larger centres and see our meat on its merits. New Zealand mutton will hold its own against all comers if given a fair chance. It is now so popular with the Home consumers that.it was retailing at almost as high a price as the homefed while I was there. Again, I would say, have the whole managed from one centre by the best man procurable in that line, who should give his whole lime to the business. I know this is a big order but we must face the position on some such 'ines or go under. We are now faced in competition with some of tho ablest business men in their line, who seems to me to have a firm grip of the Sniifhfield market. They work on lines somewhat similar to those I have suggested, and with apparent success, 1 don't think .iver-production is to be feared. The meat consumers are increasing, while the producing areas arc limited. What seems to me to be required to make our frozen meat a permanent success is only an up-to-date method of handling with prudent economy. If a. temporary over-supply should accidently occur this could be adjusted by marking off a quantity as second, or third class, and selling it at a cheaper rale to get rid of the surplus stock, keeping the first grade at a paying I>oiiit. ;>

As another remedy, Mr M'Lood sarcastically offered the extreme suggestion with which the brief account of the interview with him is introduced.