OUR LAMB IN AMERICA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18054, 30 September 1920, Page 4

OUR LAMB IN AMERICA

TRUST INFLUENCES.

In thtf issue of file "Weekly Press of Septimber 22 tho editor of the Faiuning Station oolumns of tliafc journal makes same interesting commcnta relative to the American position. Dealing _ with tho letter by Mr J. ifotid (Udershc), which, 'was i>3produoed in our issue of 28th September he wrtitcs further: "It may bo assumed that American farming journals reflect tie farmers' view in regard to what 13 termed "tho invasion' of New Zealand kumb. Although, as one American publication rather contemptuously pointed out, 'tho shipment of 200,000 carcases would have furnished New York with less than half a meal each,' they are considerably perturbed about future possibilities. A writer in tho July number .of tho National Woolgrower, published at Salt ~Lako City, expresses the following opinion: 'Some sheepmen contend, that since New Zealand lamb is to bo imported to this country any way, it will do the domestic sheep industry less injury if it is handled by the Chicago packcrs fen if handled; by independent or foreign dealers. I do not agree -with this view, and I believe we should register a strong protest) with Armour and Company against their continued handling of New Zealand lamb if they have any desire to protect the domestic sheep industry. I ajn doubtful if New Zestland lamb in any considerably quantity be distributed in the United 'States without tho aid of our packers. This foreign Lamb is a delicate article, and must-bo handled efficiently and quiakly or it will become unpalatable and unsightly. Tho only agencies in tliis country which have tlio machinery for handling this moat are the* Chicago packers. If they lot it. alone, independent and small concerns -will soon find: it unprofitable to handle. This frozen lamb has boon sliipped as far west as Kansas City and ■ Denver t! trough. tbo perfected machinery of our packcrs. This mryer could have happened in tho bands of independents. It was said ttuit this lamb would bo imparted anyhow, and unless our packers handled it it would cause a break in tho domestic market. Well, tho lamb came from New Zealand; it was handled by Chicago packers, and wo still had tho break in the lamb market. So there was nothinp in this packer argument. How absurd that break was! Two hundred thousand New Zealand ln.mbs in Now York caused a break of over 10s in the ;iric» of live lamhs in Chicvuro.' Incidentally the machinery for distribution is a factor that tho New' Zealand Government will have to boar in mind when dealing- with tho matter of export licenses. It is only at the ports of arrival where tho packers can bo done without."—Published by arrangement.