PROSPECTIVE EXPORTS OF MEAT FROM AUSTRALIA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2006, 4 August 1892, Page 6

PROSPECTIVE EXPORTS OF MEAT FROM AUSTRALIA.

While stockowners in Australia hold conflicting opinions regarding the expediency or inexpediency of imposing a tax on cattle and sheep, the pastoralists of New South Wales and Queensland are in agreement that these two colonies are dangerously overstocked, and that it is imperatively necessary means should be adopted for providing outlets for the annual increase. The controversies on the subject of the proposed tax on stock has stirred .into activity occupiers of pastoral properties within moderate distances of all considerable inland towns having accefts to railways, and where it has been determined to establish depots for slaughtering and chilling, so that in a comparatively short time there will bo numbers of these establishments throughout the two colonies most concerned in the success of the enterprise. It is necessary to the success of the district depots that they shall be in connection with one or other of the powerful associations, provided with freezing works and cold storage accommodation, at the leading port or ports of the colony. The scheme, which meets with very general approval in New South Wales, is on the lines proposed by the Pastoral Finance Association (Limited). This association — as was explained by Mr Geddes at a meeting held in the Cham* ber of Commerce, Sydney, recently- 1 -" is the outcome of frequent discussion as to the advisability of pastoralists combining for the formation of an association, having its centre in Sydney, for the sale of wool, stock, produce stations, &c, and the manipulation and shipment of frozen meat." Thus it was initiated, and at present upwards of 1000 members, comprising some of the wealthiest and some of the smallest woolgrowers in New South Wales are included in its members, and by taking advantage of its purposes to command a thorough representation of their interests in the wool and other markets, and to be placed in the best possible position for securing the most satisfactory returns at the lowest cost, thus applying the well-known principle of co-operation to the pastoral interests of Australia. One great reason for the formation of the association was the absolute necessity of extending the markets for stock, and I was instructed, as managing director, to visit Europe aud gather the most modern information pertaining to same." After careful and extended inquiry Mr Geddes is assured that the Australian pastoralists in accepting the absolute necessity for an outlet for their stock, may also accept the assurance that an inexhaustible one is not only in existence, but is gaining strength and constituting a greater demand from day to day. He attributes this, so far as frozen mutton is concerned, to the decrease in the number of British sheep, which numbering approximately 36,000,000 in 1870, receded to 31,600,000 in LB9O, notwithstanding the increase of population. Again the increasing demand for frozen mutton is accounted for by the moderate prices which enable people to buy the article, who previously had to rest satisfied with pork, cheese, &c. Mr Geddes ascribes the remarkable expansion of the New Zealand trade to the larger types of sheep forwarded, *' admitting their blending unwittingly into general consumption, much must be attributed to home trade influences." He encourages Australian sheep breeders to expect a considerable and growing demand for merino mutton, because — "As the Argentine trade, with infinitely inferior mutton, has grown from 17,000 in 1883 to 1,200,000 in 1890 as against 200,000 representing the shipments from Australia, and although 25 steamers, having a carrying capacity of 2,000,000 carcases, are associated with the New Zealand trade, and the 20 steamers with the Argentine, representing a carrying capacity up to 1,500,000 yearly, Australian past inducements will not warrant more than provision for 500,000 carcases, although our sheep number more than the two great meat-exporting centres together, while the conditions are certainly superior to the South American supply. The question arises as to the cause, for no longer — iv view of the great Argentine shipments distributed throughout Great Britain by Eastman aud Co's arrangements — can it be admitted that our merino type is unacceptable. . . . Already Queensland, represented by Brisbane, Roekampton, aud Townsville, has been moved to activity in the matter. New Zealand and the Argentine Confederation have capabilities for the export of millions, while South Australia, New South Wales, and Victoria are at present represented by two depots." He points out, however, that Messrs Nelson Bros., so long intimately associated with the New Zealand trade, are now displaying considerable interest in the shipment and reception of frozen meat from Australia, "having entered into contracts through the medium of Messrs Pitt, Son, and Badgery (Limited), of Sydney, and are the great influence in the Aberdeen works on the Hunter." Iv reference to the distribution of River Plate mutton, Mr Geddes said "Messrs Eastman Bros. (Limited) are to the Argentine Confederation frozen meat, and United States and Canadian live export, what Messrs Nelson Bros, are to the New Zealand and Austraiian trade, with the exception that their interests extend to the retailing of the meat from 550 shops scattered throughout Great Britain and, iv a few instances, Ireland. This company represent 90 per cent, of the Argentine trade, and also represent the old cattle shipment business of Eastman in America, amalgamated with J. Bell aud Sons (Bell-Colcman refrigerating machine agents), and are most material factors in the frozen meat trade of England." The information gained by Mr Geddes induced the Pastoral Finance Association to erect a large freezing establishment on the brink of the deep waters of Sydney Harbour, and to encourage the formation of district associations, who shall act in concert with the parent association on strictly co-operative principles, so that arrangements shall be complete for a continuous chain of careful supervision from the reception of the meat at the country chilling depots to the sale in Great Britain and Europe. 1. The scheme is practically that a country district shall tnke up 700 L 5 shares iv the Pastoral Finance Association (Limited) in consideration of which the. association pledges itself to expend the amount in the erection of a depot, &c, to be finished by 31st March 1893, or at such times as shall be deemed most suitable, the advantages of which arrangement to the district would be, firstly, that the shareholders immediately participating in the general business of the association (which, being purely co-operative, commends itself to those interested in the successful accomplishment of the above comprehensive fceheme) have additional security for their outlay. The depot will have a capability of 300 sheep per day, or 75,000 sheep per annum, and though apparently small, will, in view of the creation of many such centres perhaps, be considered sufficient, more especially as the plan is drawn with a view to duplication if necessary, and it will also manufacture above chilling require-

ments one ton and a-half of ice per day. 2. Interest in the freehold land, warehouse, and business in the parent company instead of a purely local establishment. 3. Supervision and experience of the wealthiest and most Influential directorate in Australia, Uniting great experience with an unqualified desire to give full effect to the purely Woolgrowers' Association. 4-. The blending of the practical working of the local dep<H with the general management of the association, thus saving great expense of expert management, more especially during the time when the works may be temporarily closed. 5. The election of a local director by the shareholders, under whose supervision the depot will be worked. 6. The benefit of advantageous contracts made by the association. 7. The blending of the supplies from country depots into thegeneral export trade of the association, whereby shipping and other arrangements can be advantageously arranged. 8. The throwing open of the inexhaustible European markets to the innermost districts of New South Wales.

As already stated, the proposals of the company have most favourably received, and district branches for the chilling of meat are in rapid formation. Queensland has to a certain extent been more prompt iv the movement, and some time ago associations in th it colony completed arrangements for shipments on very favourable tei'ms, so that in a very short time exporters from this colony will encounter fresh and formidable competitors iv the Home markets. »