NEW ZEALAND MEAT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2985, 31 May 1911, Page 18

NEW ZEALAND MEAT.

HANDLING IN LONDON. AUCKLAND, May 25. Representatives from Farmers' Unions and Agricultural Associations in Auckland province met together in the Hall of Commerce to-day and discussed the question of the handling of New Zealand produce in London.

Mr J. E. Makgill, vice-president of the Auckland Provincial Farmers' Union, said the question was one of the utmost importance to producers in New Zealand. He moved the following resolution: — " That a committee of producers be set up to co-operate with other committees appointed by public meetings in various parts of the Dominion to attempt to improve the conditions under which New Zealand produce is received and distributed in Great Britain." In support of the motion he read extracts from a speech on the subject by Mr Lysnar, in which he referred to having seen bales of wool soaking in the barges on the Thames, also in the stores rows of bales which had been damaged by leaky barges. This was afterwards sold as damaged wool, and the owner in New Zealand did not know why he got such low prices. Major Lusk said he thought the conference would agree that an improvement was very desirable. Farmers had been neglecting their own interests, and had evidently expected other people to look after them. It was quite time they appointed representatives from themselves to see that their affairs were not neglected. Other delegates strongly supported the motion, which was carried. POSSIBLE AMERICAN MARKET. GISBORNE, May 25. Mr Shelton,. representative of the NewZealand Producers' Association at Home, and now en route to England, writes to Mr Lysnar, of Gisborne, that the Hawaii Meat Company (Ltd.), of Honolulu, intends tendering for the supply of beef for the United States army contract. The contract will be for a quantity of from 50,0001 b to 70,0001 b of beef monthly for a term of 11 months from August 1. The manager of the company desires to know the lowest prices for this quantity in accordance with specifications delivered f.o.b. Auckland. The conditions are to be found in clauses 1 and 2 of the United States army specifications. The local branch of the New Zealand Producers' Association, before whom the letter was read, decided to ask the general secretary at Wellington to send the information to all the branches. Mr Lysnar has sent a cable to Honolulu, stating that, the association is taking steps to notify producers, so that they

can tender for the supply. He believes it will be the forerunner of a good deal of other similar business for the Dominion. SIGN OF PROGRESS. MASTERTON, May 25. The Directors v>f the Wellington Farmers' Meat Company, which is just concluding a most successful season at the local freezing works, is circularising shareholders and asking their opinion upon the question of enlarging the works, particularly in regard to storage capacity, which, in view of the fluctuation of the markets, is held to be essential. PREVENTION OF BONE TAINT. GISBORNE, May 27. As the" result of investigations made by Mr John Clark, a director of the ,Gisborrie Sheep Farmers' Company, when in England, and information obtained from the manager of Swifts (Ltd.), as to the methods of handling American beef, the Gisborne sheep farmers have adopted new methods in connection ■ with beef shipments, with the result that information has been cabled from ' Home that bone taint is now quite unknown in local consignments.