CHILLED BEEF

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16553, 21 January 1928, Page 5

CHILLED BEEF

SUCCESSFUL SHIPMENT EXPERIMENTAL STAGE PASSED SYDNEY, Jan. 13. Difficulties previously experienced in the shipment of chilled beef from Australia to London appear to have been successfully overcome. This confidence is said to be justified owing to the results of a consignment of 21,8651 b which was placed on board the motor-ship Port Huon, at Brisbane, on September 1, and marketed at Sniithlield on October 20. Meat experts and others who inspected the shipment were quite satisfied with the appearance of the meat on arrival, but several critics asserted that the quality was not up to the standard of Argentine beef. • Mr. Russell Raysou, who accompanied the shipment to Hull, returned to Sydney on Tuesday by the Poru Melbourne. He stated that the owners of the Commonwealth and Dominion Line, Ltd., were so satisfied with the results that they had decreed to fit their future motor with too necessary equipment for chilling beef.. In addition, other vessels of the line would be fitted in order to provide a monthly service of chilling space for the Australian trade. The shipment by the Port Huon 's the fourth effort the patentees have made to test their process on a definite scale. The first two experimental shipments by the Port Darwin and the Port Auckland failed to come np to" expectations, and the plant was scrapped. effort by the Port Hardy was much more promising, but pointed to the possibility of further improvement. The latest trial by the Port Huon is considered to have justified all the anticipations of the inventors. On arrival at Smithfield the meat was inspected by various interested parties, and sold at a price ljd to lid. per lb. above the corresponding quality of frozen beef, and Sd per lb. less than prime Argentine. The Australian beef, although not of the same quality as the Argentine, was much better", in Mr. Rayson's opinion, than the Brazilian chilled beef market the same da v. While all the other charges for chilled beef are the same as for frozen, the freight is about id per lb. higher, chiefly owing to the increased space occupied. No alteration is needed in the cold stores as either end. No preservatives or other chemicals are used. The Port Huon consignment was subsidised by the Queensland Government at the'ratc of a halfpenny per pound. it is anticipated that the Federal Government will provide a subsidy during the next two years for all beef exported under the process. The Prime Minister (Mr. Bruce) and the Minister for Markets (Mr. Paterson) have both promised favorable consideration for the suggestion. Mr. Kayson stated that already inquiries and requests for quotations had been received from Belgium, Mediterranean ports, and the Ear East.