CHILLED BEEF TRADE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22122, 28 November 1933, Page 3

CHILLED BEEF TRADE

POSSIBILITIES AND PROSPECTS AUSTRALIAN GROWERS INTERESTED There is evidence of a gradual awakening to the tremendous possibilities created for Australia’s beef cattle industry by the Ottawa agreement and the subsequent restrictions imposed by Britain ou South American chilled beef imports. Practical men who know their Australia are coming to see in it all “ the chance of a lifetime” for the industry (states au article in an Australian paper). The Northern Territory, with its area of 500,000 square miles, the Gulf and western areas of Queensland, and the East and West Kimberley divisions of Western Australia, and many parts of the southern States will benefit enormously if a satisfactory trade in chilled beef can be established. The Ottawa agreement restricted the British imports of chilled beef from foreign sources —South America —to the quantity imported for the year ended June, 1932, which amounted to 440,000 tons, and this was the lowest quantity imported from South America for any one year since 1925. Since Ottawa there has been a further restriction—lo per cent, —which was reduced, however, as from January 1, to 5 per cent., but ■which ■will be 10 per cent, again as from July 1. Roughly, it means a restriction of from 40,000 to 50,000 tons in the imports of South American chilled beef, or the equivalent of 150,000 to 200,000 head of cattle. Restrictions in frozen beef from South America by June, 1934, will mean a further reduction in Britain’s beef supply. ‘ Australia in 1931 shipped to England only 57,000 tons of beef (frozen), and even in our best years the export of beef from Australia to the United Kingdom has rarely exceeded 80,000 tons. The hope is, of course, that the dominions will make good in Britain this restriction of imports of South American chilled beef. The hope goes even further —the dominions may supply an ever increasing share of Britain’s beef requirements.

SUPPLIES FROM THE DOMINIONS. When we say “ dominions ” in this regard it should be understood that Australia looms largest on the horizon of possibilities. Canada and New Zealand are not likely to do materially more than they are' doing in beef exports to Britain; South Africa is experimenting, but Australia is already far ahead of-her, and has incomparably greater scope. If Australia is to rise to the level of events, which is the test of innate greatness in a country as well as in an individual, it must arrange to ship chilled beef. The restrictions that matter concern chilled beef; there is a decreasing market for the frozen product. If the dominions — particularly Australia fail to supply the English consumers with the quantities of chilled beef they, require, then England eventually will look again to foreign countries. The consumer must be served; the English consumer wants chilled beef—next to home-grown, We cannot, even if we would, force frozen beef down th 6 English consumers’throats. Recently 3000 "head of cattle were treated in Victoria and shipped as frozen beef. The Commonwealth veterinary officer in London, reporting on the shipment, said they were from particularly good quality cattle, but if the beef had; come chilled instead of frozen it' would have realised from £IO,OOO to £15,000 more. About the same time, chilled beef from South Africa—the report says “the cattle were aged and badly butchered ” realised 20 to 25 per cent, more in price than the best quality Australia frozen beef. . „■

An authority puts it thus: “If we arrange to ship our beef chilled, we are assured of a great market, a growing market, at £3 to £4 a head of cattle more than we can get as frozen-. This means that it is going to pay landowners in every State with suitable country to fatten cattle. Apart from the larger landholders, it offers new opportunity for mixed farmers and dairymen. What it may mean to our Northern Australia, which is by Nature fitted to be a tremendous reservoir for the supply of cattle to all Australia and the outside world, is well-nigh past imagining.” POSITION IN NEW SOUTH WALES. Exports of beef from New South Wales are negligible. New South Wales changed over long ago to sheep, wheat, and dairying. Queensland has “ the cattle country,” especially for fattening, but other phases of primary production have, comparatively, paid better. If, however, our beef come s to be exported mainly chilled, as it should, then this State should become a very considerable exporter. It means new and increasing wealth for the State. Victoria will also share in it. Queensland for many years has been the main State for beef export. And always in the offing have been the tremendous possibilities of Northern Australia — the Northern Territory, the north of Western Australia, and the north and west of Queensland. No one who really knows Australia’s pastoral country really doubts Australia’s ability to make up the shortage of England’s chilled beef requirements, created by the Ottawa agreement and after-re-strictions. But it is a question whether Australia is going to rise to the unique opportunity. Australia has to recognise that the sending of frozen beef will not avail. It is a matter essentially of chilled beef. To establish itself on the English chilled beef market Australia must produce the right quality, must have it properly handled in the meat works, and must have sufficient shipping service. These three requisites must receive the most earnest consideration of producers, exporters, and shipping companies. Any shortcoming on the part of any one of the three will jeopardise Australia’s chance of building up a really great export beef industry. Further than that, it may hold back the development of much of Northern Australia for a generation or more.

It is the belief of competent authorities that if Australia makes the most of the opportunities that are now opening up our beef exports will be doubled, and even trebled. The repercussions of that export would be felt right through our remote interior, helping to solve problems which have hitherto proved insoluble, because beef cattle was their only possible product, and the frozen price provided no margin for good bulls, water improvements, fodder growing, and conservation.