THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1950, 4 April 1889, Page 16

THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

London, March 27. A hitch has occurred over the Imperial and Colonial Trading Company, which has resulted in Sir J. 0. Lee and Sir W. Buller withdrawing from the directorate. This company is being formed with the object of establishing a trade in frozen mutton between Liverpool and New Zealand. The company will build its own steamers, and these will do the distance between Liverpool and the colony in a rather longer time than is taken by the mail •boats of the direct service — about 50 days. Consequently they will be able to charge a lower rate for carriage, thus conferring a great boon upon the producer. The company will operate in two ways— either by themselves purchasing the mutton from the farmer, or else taking charge of it in the capacity of agents, and disposing of it on commission to the best advantage in this 1 country. It is not intended to interfere with ! the existing carrying trade. Nearly all of that | comes to London, and the meat is absorbed in the metropolis. But the idea is that a good market can be found for the frozen mutton in the North of England, particularly in great cities like Liverpool and Manchester, besides which other advantages are expected to accrue from the opening up of direct communication between Liverpool and New Zealand. A number of influential North of England merchants have interested themselves in the scheme.