GIVING A BAD NAME TO NEW ZEALAND MEAT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2849, 21 October 1908, Page 8

GIVING A BAD NAME TO NEW ZEALAND MEAT.

1 Mr A. D. M'Leod, a Martinborough farmer, who has just returned from a trip to the Home Country, was approached by a representative of the Dominion, ami asked to give jars' impressions of what he caw. " In connection with the meat trade (said Mr M'Leod), I am certain, from closein vest igat ions made in. London, that our great aim should be to- keep up the standard of our lambs for the export trade. At Smithfield I learned that fully double the quantity of prime quality New Zealand lamb would have realised gocd pries during- tho summer months. At the earr.c lime, I saw New Zealand meat exposed for palp at Smithfield that was a disgrace to the country. It was 6ent Homo from tho North Island — I can't cay by whom though I know, but it was not sent by either of the two Wellington companies. I brought these carcases under the notice of Mr Crabb, the Government's repesentative, and ho agreed with me that it was ridiculous and damaging to send carcases co poor in quality." But aren't they graded at this end? '" As far as I can ascertain, each company does its own grading, tho Government 'vets' merely certifying- that the carcasses are fat for consumption. There was a Government iav on tho carcasses mentioned, and this only gave tho irnpreesion. that the Government not only passed but approved of the export of such poor stuff. Tli3 big meat men said tliat ono such carcass (a carcase without fat or form and only fit for the boiler) did more harm than 500 prime carcasses did good, which was Jargelv due to the okl-fashioned prejudice that still existed in. Tegard to New Zealand frozen mutton. On the other hand, New Zealand lambranging from 351b to 401b weight— stood by itself, and was considered by the Smithfield experts to be absolutely the best. I am strongly of the opinion that the Government should go further, and insist on a standard grade for mutton to be exported oversea, so as to absolutely prevent euch 6tuff aa I saw being sent out of the Dominion. '• I heard New Zealand cheeso very favourablely spoken of, and New Zealand 1 cheddar eolti readily, in preference to

others in many cases. The market wa* pretty bare of New Zealand butter when, I was at Home but I heard it well spoken, of everywhere.