THE ANGLO-COLONIAL MEAT TRADE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2253, 6 May 1897, Page 7

THE ANGLO-COLONIAL MEAT TRADE.

MEETING OF THE LONDON

COMMITTEE. (From Our Own Cohhespondent.)

London, March 20,

A largely-attended meeting of the London Committee appointed at the instance of Mr R. E. N. Twopeny and commonly known as the Australasian Frozen Meat Committee, was held on the Bth inst., Mr Edmund Doxat presiding.

The meeting was called for the purpose of ! considering certain resolutions submitted by i the s\ib-coinmittee for approval. The proposed j resolutions were as follow :— " (1) That this committee, having considered the demoralised condition of the Australian frozen meat trade, , is of opinion that no permanent improvements ! in the trade caa be expected until the freezing j companies in the colonies arrive at an arrange- l

ment whereby the supply to the British markets may be judiciously regulated. (2) That this committee is also of opinion that tbe freezing comparing should refuse to freeza stock of inferior quality, as such shipments to the Home market have prejudicially affected the value of all frczen ixve»t. (3) That in order to sustain prices a limited number of consignees is desirable, consistent with proper distribution. (4) That the o.i.f . trade and consignments need not necessarily clash. (5) That this committee is of opinion that the provincial distribution is now being developed, and that it will continue to be extended as the necessities of the trade require, without making special outlay of capital for increased storage, and that no step 3 are necessary for advertising beyond the publicity already given to the trade. (6) That the* committee is of opinion that the intervening check of .the consignee upon the salesmen in laoudon is an advantage to the shipper, and that therefore direct consignments to salesmen are undesirable. (7) That the committee are of opinion that insurance must be against all risks from time of shipment until not less than 30 day 3 after the final discharge of the vessel. Insurance prior to shipment to bo & matter of special arrnngeruent, according to locality of freezing works. In every case, when marine risk commence*, meat to ba certified to the sutisfaction of the underwriters as baing thoroughly frozen and sound. (8) That an inspector, with a qualified stiff, would assist in securing more careful treatment of the meat between the ship and the market. (9; That whilst tho accuracy of account sales ought to be tested by the consignee, no investigation by this committee or its officials could effectually test the accuracy of returns."

The sub-committes also presented the following supplementary "Notes": — "(a) It was considered impracticable and inexpedient to make a list of reliable salesmen. (li) A resolution was moved that commission ought to be charged at a percentage rate ; bub on the representation of Mr Nelsou, who informed the committee that this method was impracticable for his company, owing to its acting as warehousemen and employing travellers, &0., for the distribution of its consignments, it was felt that there is no objection to any system arranged between the shipper and tbe consignee." The proposed resolutions were considered setiatim. In No. 1 the word " demoralised " was struck out, and " present unsatisfactory " substituted in relation to the condition of the colonial frczsn meat trade.

With rafcrenca to No. 2, discussion arose in connection with the reference to the objectionable practice of shipping inferior sheep. Mr T. Mackenzie suggested that the representatives of the colonial Governments should frame regulations to discourage „tne shipment of inferior carcases.

Resolution No. 4 elicited considerable discussion. Messrs Nelson and Cork had dissented from this resolution when it was brought before the sub committee, and they now repeated their objection to it, contending that this form of sale really injured the shipper by causing hia meat to be sold on speculation. Others believed that the dual system was most in favour of the shippers.

The fifth resolntion elicited the longe3t debate of any. The Agent-general for New Zealand took strong objection to it, declaring that it contained muah that was distinctly contrary to fact. The Chairman asked how that had been ascertained. Mr Reeves explained that he was in the possession of trustworthy information which clearly «et forth the inaccuracy of the contention. He asserted that from his own experience he was satisfied that the beat mutton was not sufficiently distributed, and that the true quality of New Zealand mutton was nob fully understood iv England. Argentine mutton was largely sold as New Zealand meat. He would not go so far as to say that the Argentine mutton was unwholesome, but it certainly was not so gcod as New Zealand mutton. Mr Mackenzie 6trongly supported what Mr Reeves had said. He took exception to the chairman's suggestion that people might be left to find out for themselves the merits of New Zealand mutton, and to Mr Paul's idea that it should be sold on its merits. He contended that advertising was necessary to enlighten the consumera as to the excellence of the meat produced "by New Zealand. He gathered irora what Mr Paul had said that New Zealand mutton was now gaining in demand to a. large extent through being sold as English, and Mr Paul seemed to imply that New Zealand should be content with that. He, for one, was not content with this position.

Mr Paul said that New Zealand mutton was never sold on it 3 merits.

Mr Mackenzie thought it was quite time to begin putting it on a better footiDg. If its undoubted excellence were understood the meat would be eagerly sought on account of its quality. He therefore moved that the " and that no steps are necessary for advertising beyond the publicity already given to the trade" be struck out.

Mr Twopeny said he was not satisfied that, the retention of these words wss necessary. He was quite aware that what Mr Reeves had said regarding the substitution of Argentine meat for New Zealand and Australian was perfectly correct, and personally he would support Mr Mackenzie's motion.

The Chair mau remarked that in framing the scheme the word " Australia " was, at tbo urgent request of a few, altered to " Australasia" so as to include New Zealand, and -it now appeared as if the proceedings of the day were going to develop into a sorb of contest of Australia versus New Zealand. (Several members: "No, no. Australasia versus Argentine.") After some further discussion Mr Mackenzie's motion wai carried, and the resolntion was adopted with the omission of the words which eipreised the opinion that) no fortbor

steps in the direction ot" advertising were necea-

sary. Resolutions 6, 7, and 8 were passed unaltered.

Resolution No. 9 was amended to read as follows :—": — " That whilst the accuracy of accounb sales should be tested by the consignee, no investigation by this committee or its officials U requisite."

The Chairman then proposed a hearty vote ot thanks fco Mr Twopeny for the industry ho had shown in convection with this important subject. Mr Twopeny had been hore, there, and everywhere — travelled through the provinces, visited Paris, and devoted much time to the questiion. He thought they ought to thank Mi 'twopeny very cordially for the zeal and ability he displayed.

The vote of febanks to Mr Twopeny wai carried by acclamation.

Mr Twopeny said he was deeply gratified with the recognition that had been accorded t<, what he had done. He hoped when he returned to Australia to be able to enhance the usefulness of his trip. He frankly admitted that he had found many things very different from what ha had expected. It would be his duty to tell the people in Australia, csrtain fcru'ks aboufc many matters — truths which they might not be raadily inclined to credit. However, he hoped that much good would result from hip visit, and he desired especially to thank Mr Doxat for the valuable help he had received from that gentleman.

The meeting then terminated with a vote of thanks to the chairman.