CHILLED BEEF

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16360, 7 June 1927, Page 4

CHILLED BEEF

AUSTRALIAN TRIAL SHIPMENTS No one who has once seen and compared in Smithfield the Argentine chilled beef with beef that has been brought frozen from the Antipodes is in doubt about the superiority of tho South American article; besides the premium paid for chilled over frozen tells its own story. New Zealand beef, a fast shrinking article of export, would probably show up much more attractively on arrival if chilled, and command prices that would encourage graziers to greatly improve its quality. Export of chilled beef from New Zealand is not to be dismissed as unthinkable.

•Mr. 0. H. Itayson, director of tho Perfect Food Process Proprietary, Melbourne,, returns from London convinced that the meat trade in England is now satisfied that the “distance” problem of Australia’s meat industry has been definitely overcome. The consignment of chilled beef by the steamer Port Hardy, despite the fact that the voyage was a protracted one of 62 days, was sold in tho Stnithiield market in London at prices which compared very favorably with the product of Argentine. Mr. .Rayson added that three successive shipments of chilled beef dispatched by the company had proved', as the shipment of the Port Hardy did, .that with a voyage of approximately 50 days such beef may bo carried from any port in Australia. The chilled beef had been sold within two days of reaching the London market. The company iutended to arrange for the dispatch of further similar shipments to England. Mr. Rays on found that there was a very strong opinion in England that unless something definite and practical was done immediately in a united effort to lift the beef industry out of its present state, Australia would soon ceaso to exist as a competitor in the meat markets of the world. “We have the only big beef producing country in the world free from foot and mouth disoase,” said Mr. Eayson, “and that is a big factor in Australia's favor. Most other beef countries, including Argentine, are, as is well known, badly affected with the disease. The potential wealth of Australia’s production of beef is enormous when one views the millions of acres of beof-producing country already opened up and awaiting further development, and when one remembers the enormous market to be supplied. This matter affects the prosperity of Australia, opening up as it does a field for migration and greater employment in a primary industry. ”