THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18221, 16 April 1921, Page 9

THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

In tWir. annual review of the frozen meat trade for 1920 Messrs Weddell and Co. publish information of special interest to the producers in the dominion. The imports of beef, mutton, aud lamb into.the United Kingdom last year were 90,000 tons in excess of any previous year in the history of the trade. The demand was apparently unsatisfied, and was great enough to keep up the price. In this connection it must he remembered that the stocks of meat were not made fully available. The review states that “the holding policy pursued from time to time by the Government was just what would have been expected from any financially strong speculator owning large stocks, and has certainly worked out successfully so far as profit-earning or avoidance of loss is concerned.” It is asserted that the taxpayer has gained by the consumer being compelled to pay inflated prices for his meat,” and that “food control has become a synonym for increased cost of living.” Chief interest centres, however, in the future prospects of the trade, and it was anticipated when the review was published that temporary iinsettlement would follow the inglorious end of food control and the transition from restraint to freedom. The view was expressed that there can be no health in any trade unless the principle of free competition rules, and low prices cannot be looked for until the policy of “small profits and quick returns ” replaces the guiding Government trading principle of “a profit —at all costs.” It is anticipated that the demand for meat will tend to overtake supply owing to the steady growth of white populations and an increased standard of living. Fifty years ago it was estimated that there were 300,000,000 potential meat-eaters in the world, hut to-day the number has nearly doubled—it is calculated at 587,000,000. The view is expressed that South America can doubtless increase its output if prices remain high, but that New Zealand, Australia, and the United States will ship less meat in 1921 than in 1920. Unemployment is expected to reduce the demand, especially if prices remain high. The Continental demand has been an erratic factor in the world’s market, and is likely to remain so for some time. The tendency of food and raw materials to recede in price is expected to apply to meat, and the review closes by saying that “the best hope for any important reduction iu prices lies in some curtailment of consumption on the part of the great masses of the people of the United Kingdom.”

The decision of tho Government to withhold the details of the butter settlement was widely discussed in tho city yesterday. Wo learn on good authority that the new arrangements provide for the retail price of butter remaining at 2s 3d per lb, and that the Government will pay a subsidy of about 2d per lb. It is anticipated that an official intimation will be made on the question in tho course of a day or two.

The census is to be taken to-morrow night, and papers for that purpose have been left at every house. Any householder, or part householder, who has not received a form, should make immediate application to tho census enumerator, whose office will bo open until 10 o’clock to-night. The schedules are for use in the houses to which they have been delivered, and must not be taken therefrom if tho householder moves. People who sleep in cribs on Sunday night are to fill in the schedules left there, and are to leave them where subenumerators can get them. The report of tho Imperial Shipping Committee, of which Sir James Allen is a member, has now been completed (says our London correspondent, writing on February 24). Tho report deals with tho limitations of shipowners’ liability by clauses in bills of lading and with certain other matters relating to bills of lading. All parts of the Empire, including India, were represented on the committee, which sat under the chairmanship of Sir H. J. M'Kinder, M.P. In due course the report will appear in the form of a White Paper. An Order-in-Council has beej gazetted providing that tho following species of birds, indigenous to New Zealand, are not to be deemed to be protected during the shooting season, which will open on May 2: —Paradise duck, pukeko, teal, grey duck, spoonbill duck, wild geese, black swan. The Pacific Cable Board notifies that it can now handle all business via Pacific, without material delay, and requests senders to cease diverting work via Eastern.

A Press Association message from Christchurch . states that unemployment among unskilled workers is increasing, according to the Labour Department. Twenty men applied for work this week, the majority being general labourers, with a few farm labourers and storemen. Trades union officials state that there are signs that unemployment is likely in a number of trades in tho near future. 1 Our Wellington correspondent wires that no announcement has been made yet concerning the new agreement on butter prices. The Prime Minister may have something to say on the subject before ho leaves Auckland to-day on his way to London. It seems pertain that the retail price of butter is not going to increase above tho present maximum price of 2s 3d per lb for cash. Butter is being sold in Wellington below this price.' A further opportunity will be given on Tuesday evening next, 19th inst., to those who were unable to gain admission to the organ recital held on the 12th inst. in St. Paul’s Cathedral. Tho programme selected by Mr Heywood has been chosen from the works, of tho great composers, and will be heard to advantage on this splendid instrument, which is considered to bo tho finest church organ south of the line. A feature of the next recital will bo the use of the Cor Anglais, Vox humana, and tuba stops, which are_ at all times so pleasing to the ear, A further supply of the souvenir programme has been printed. , ■ . Writs for tho election of synodsmen to the Anglican Synod for the next three years have been issued. Nominations will close /on April 23, and elections, where necessary, will be held on May 11. With the purpose of securing a thoroughly representative Synod of the laity as well as of the clergy, legislation was passed last session proriding for the payment of travelling expenses of both lay and clerical members. Cr W. B. Taverner (chairman of the Finance Committee of the City Council) may yet contest tho city mayoralty. In response to numerous requests from representative citizens and a number of his fellow councillors, Cr Taverner has agreed to give the matter his immediate consideration. A meat hawker did a brisk street business at Port Chalmers yesterday afternoon. This means of selling meat was somewhat of a novelty there, but it was apparently not unwelcome. Two carts loaded with meat took up a position in tho main street near the Harbour Board’s old freezing works, and before 6 o’clock the contents of one of the carts had been disposed of at prices which were said to be 2d per lb lower than the prices at the local meatselling shops.

A Wellington Press Association telegram states that in a letter to tho Prime Minister, Sir Thomas Robinson, of the Imperial Meat Control Department, says that he was glad to report that progress had been made for a settlement of outstanding items as between suppliers and the British Government. He speaks in terms of the highest praise of the Department of Imperial Supplies, and says that the excellence of the arrangements greatly facilitated settlement, which was a somewhat difficult matter. A sitting of the Magistrate’s Court was held at Kaitangata yesterday by Mr A. M. Mowlem, S.M., when two young men named Richard David Waddingham and Thomas Robert Oliver were charged with breaking and entering the dwelling house of John Bustard, farmer - , at Wangaloa, on March 20, and stealing two watches, valued at £7. Detective Palmer prosecuted on behalf of .the police, and Mr R. R.. Grigor appeared for the two accused. After the hearing of tho evidence, both accused pleaded guilty and were committed to the Supreme Court at Dunedin for sentence. Both were admitted to bail—self in £SO, and one surety of £SO. A minor named James Lee pleaded not guilty to a charge of wilfully damaging a shop window to the extent of £3* 10s. After hearing evidence at length, the magistrate convicted the accused and imposed a fine of £5. Accused was also ordered to make good the damage.

Efforts are to be - made by the Commonwealth Ministry to obtain a further reduction of at least 5 per cent, in the price charged by shipping companies for passages for immigrants from the United Kingdom to Australia (the Age states). At present it will cost intending immigrants £2B a head to reach Australia, tho Government finding £l2 of the £4O required by the shipping companies. Strong hopes are entertained that, with an increasing flow of immigrants as a result of the commencement of the Federal scheme, it will shortly bo possible to arrange passages at a considerably cheaper rate, though a return to the pre-war rates, when the fares, were less than £2O, i% not expected. The' sight of a tall and well-dressed bridegroom, carrying his bride’s suit-case, and running at top speed, in an effort to overtake a taxi-cab, which was whirling hia bride out of sight, enlivened the residents of a Christchurch suburban street a couple of days ago (says an exchange). After the wedding, the bride and bridegroom had retired to a friend’s house to shako the rice out of their clothes. The bridegroom had told tho taxi-driver not to waste any time in leaving the house afterwards. But the friends of the pair were alive to tho ruse. They surrounded the house, and gave the newly-wedded pair more showers of rice as they emerged. In tho bustle, the taxi drove off without the bridegroom. After the bridegroom had chased the taxi for some distance, the driver awakened to tho fact that he’ was without one of his fares, and then waited tor the perspfring and panting man to overtake him.

A lady who has just returned from the back-blooks in the King Country (says the Auckland Star) speaks of the splendid work which is being done amongst'infants under the auspices of the Plunket nurses. Most of the children seen were remarkably welldeveloped under the feeding system directed by the/ nurses. Several of the children from 18 months to two years of age had never tasted a sweet, and, on account of the regularity possible on a farm, many of them sleet soundly for 16 to 18 hours out of the 24. The old idea of feeding the babies on anything that was going was now a thing of the past, and a crust of bread given at slated intervals was what was given instead of the old “dummy” made of India rubber that caused so much trouble to the young digestive functions. “There is no fear of the degeneration of the race when such splendid specimens are being reared by the young mothers in the back-blocks of our country.” Fresh air. proper feeding, and good, regular sound sleep are doing wonders for the babies who are to be the future men and women of this dominion.

An Auckland Press Association telegram states that the escaped prisoner, George Keys, is still evading arrest. The fugitive was located in the Waikumete district, and it is presumed that he is surrounded by a cordon of police and warders, but up to the present he reamains uncaptured. A clause of the Returned Soldiers’ Association annual report states that it is. with regret that the executive has to report that there are some members who have not as yet paid their subscriptions for the past year. Every endeavour has been made by means of circulars to collect these dues, and recently a canvasser was appointed to interview the delinquents personally. Whilst recognising that in the majority of cases this has been purely an oversight on the part of the members concerned, yet, in fairness to the members who have paid their subscriptions, the executive now feels forced to take more drastic action. For the information of members it is pointed out that as the association is incorporated under the Societies Act, it has the right to sue for outstanding dues and also for the return of tho badge, which is the property of the Now Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association. Recently the Palmerston North Association took such a step, with the result that the badge was recovered and the member fined an amount which would have kept him financial for many years. The subscription is small, and in view of the distastefulness of such a method of collecting outstanding dues, it is sincerely trusted that any member who may be unfinancial will immediately meet bis obligation. -

Mr E! C. Shepherd, of Devonport. who returned on Saturday after spending a week grass-sowing on his bush property in inland Waikato, says tho impression grows more and more on him that not many years before the advent of the Europeans the fastnesses in tho district must have been densely populated by Maoris (says the Auckland Star). Especially near the many waterways and lakes are found evidences of the closest settlement. : Traces of the Natives are to-be found everywhere, and this time he discovered huge heaps of shells, that at one time would have been thought to -have been deposited there by Nature, but really they wore the fresh water pipi shells that had been carried there by the Maoris. By investigating closely he often found Maori weapons and tools right in the centre of these heaps where they had been covered up by the accumulations that were constantly being added. Maori clearings and cultivation showed that tho aboriginals were not devoid of the secret of manuring, and that intensive cultivation was very common amongst them, because the soil had been deeply worked. Broken stone axes were very plentiful, and this proved that their implement makers, to supply the demand for tools, could not have been idle men. His last visit, with its discoveries, deeply impressed him because he realised that what ho and other pioneers were trying to do had already been' done, and perhaps better by those who preceded us in the occupation cf this fertile country.

In our report of the proceedings at the annual meeting of the Manufacturers’ Association yesterday, the chairman’s name appeared as Mr W. R. Hudson; it should have been Mr W. R. Hayward. .Mr John Gilchrist will lecture in the Empire Theatre to-morrow evening on “ The Wonders of the Microscope.” He will us© a microscope attachment to the lantern and show real speciments of minute life. The proposed Social Hygiene Bill is to be discussed at a meeting of women in the Y.M.C.A. Booms on Tuesday next at 3 pan. Mrs Perryman, editor of the White Ribbon, and Mrs Don, dominion president of the W.S.T.U., will speak. Tho Band of the 4th Otago Regiment will play at the Gardens to-morrow afternoon. The United Starr Bowkett Building Society advertises £3OOO for disposal, and invites membership. The Dunedin Burns Club will hold the first concert of the 1921-22 season in the Ait Gallery Hall on Wednesday next. Aattention is drawn to a meeting to be addressed by Labour candidates in the South Dunedin Town Hall on Monday next. Bey. Francis Worley, of the China Inland Mission, will give an account of his work at Ping-yang during ten years’ residence there at the Hanover Street Baptist Church tomorrow evening. “Extraordinary Christianity” is the subject-* of the Rev. Clarence Eaton’s address at tho Methodist Central Mission to-morrow evening. The song service will begin at 6.20 o’clock, when Miss Jean Lennox will sing “ The Shepherd of the Flock ” and Messrs J. Leech and Mortley Peake " So Thou Liftest Thy Divine Petition" (from Stainer’s “ Cru® cifixion **). Mr Charles A. Martin will render on the organ ” Nocturne in B Flat ” (Chopin), by request, and “Andante” (Johnson).

Notices of the following Sunday services will be found in our advertising columns:— Anglican: St. 1 Paul’s, St. Matthew’s, All Saints, Woodhaugh, Taieri cum Green Island. Presbyterian: First, Russell Street Hall, North-East Valley, Opoho, Chalmers, Roslyn, Knox, St. Andrew’s, Kensington, Green Island, Cavorsham, Anderson’s Bay. Methodist: Central Mission, Trinity, St. Kilda. Glenavon, Woodhaugh, Dundas Street Baptist: Hanover Street. Congregational : Moray Place, Wesley, Cargill Road. Salvation Army, Church of Christ: Tabernacle. Theosophists: Dowling Street Hall. Sprung in the right places, built to resist road shocks for the rider, yet makes- the machine durable—Harley-Davidson motor cycles.—W. A. Justice and. Go., Otago Agents, 292 Princes street. Dunedin.—Advt “No Rubbing” Laundry Help maintains its wonderful popularity owing to its marvellous labour-saving and perfect cleansing qualities. Is packets, all grocers.—Wolfenden and Russell, agents for “No Rubbing.” —Advt. , * This week we offer a special line of white twill sheeting, 80 inches wide, at 4s lid yard; former price 7s lid.—Mollisons Ltd.— Advt, Akaroa. —The old French harbour provides you with the rest cure. Boating on its beautiful waters makes on ideal, restful holiday. Mildest of climates.—Advt N A. L. J. Blakeley, dentist. Bank of Australasia, corner of Bond and Rattray street* (next Telegraph Office). Telephone 1859. Advt. For Influenza take Woods’ Great Peppermint Cure.—Advt. Here’s paradox Watson’s No. 10 is AI whisky.—Advt. Choice Jewellery.—Large selection diamond rings, watches, brooches, pendants, and silverware Compare our values.—Peter Dick, jewellers, 490 Moray place.—Advt.