MUTTON IMPORTS INTO GREAT BRITAIN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2983, 17 May 1911, Page 20

MUTTON IMPORTS INTO GREAT BRITAIN.

OUSTING BRITISH PRODUCE. We (Mark Lane Express) have from time to time called attention to the notable increase in the importation of mutton, and we have emphasised the need of some steps being taken to prevent this imported mutton from being sold under any other definition than imported, or, in other words, we have as much as possible protested against the substitution, of tbe_homegrown article by that imported. One is p.eased to note that the efforts made in this direction have been either the direct or the indirect cause of waking up at least one body of English mutton producers to the fact that unless they make some effort the mutton of their breed stands a dhanee of losing much of the prominent position it used to hold. . Isolated attempts of different breeders to push their own individual interests axe all very well in their way, but such efforts cannot-obtain any real lasting success, for sooner or later the stronger party will overcome the weaker, and, further, the solitary efforts of any particular breed society not only has to content with the imported mutton interests, but also with the other breeds, which will say, Why should one breed more than another secure the preference? and, consequently instead of the whole of the home breeders and feeders of sheep uniting against one common opponent we should have the home breeds pushing one against the other, and the importer quietly tackling the lot. One is fully aware of the many difficulties surrounding this great question. The consuming public demand cheap meat, and consequently they must have it. The breed societies do not dispute the right _of the consumer to have cheap meat, but the point as that the consumer does .not get the cheap meat he ought to have. One has been told that to compel each country's produce to be sold as the produce of that particular country would mean a great advertisement for some of the : countries from whence our mutton comes 1 . It might do, and probably would, so far as regards the better qualities; but it most assuredly would enable the consumer to purchase, his meat at a lower value, particularly those who are content to take the lower grades of imported mutton, out of which, under the existing circumstances, the purveyors are making from the consumers a tremendous profit. Observation shows that, go where one will the imported mutton and lamb sold is all termed "New-Zealand"; yet we find during last month the Argentine sent us 153,0000 wt. Where did this go? - Of course, if they were compelled to sell the imported mutton 'under the distinct name of the country from which it came it might be claimed that the home-grown mutton should be soldunder similar conditions ; but even if this were so, and. the breed of the mutton had to" be given, there is-no reason for the home feeder and breeder to fear. The quality of his mutton is infinitely superior to the imported, and if the cost of it be more per lb the consumers would be at liberty either to take it or another kind; but, depend upon it, once they knew the difference in 'the home- . grown/ mutton and the the preference would be for the latter. ■■" The home-grown mutton has far better flavour, is' far more satisfying to hunger, and far less wasteful in cooking; three important points which have not been made so prominent, neither so clear and distinct, as they might have been. ■ ■ --, Whoever may have been the: author ■ ofthe suggestion that the council of the Southdown Society should discuss this question has done good service to the flockmasters of this country by bringing up the question. Depend upon it other societies will now take up the matter, and one can only express a hope the result of these isolated actions may be that ere long we shall have the satisfaction of noting that the council of the National Sheep-breedera' Association has been asked to deal with the matter fully and thoroughly.