The Frozen Meat Industry.

Southland Times, Issue 19202, 13 November 1903, Page 4

The Frozen Meat Industry.

(By Telegraph.). (From our own correspondent.) WELLINGTON, Nov. 11. The report of the Extension of Commerce Committeo on tho frozen meat industry was presented to the House to-dayv /After examining witnesses tho \^' mittee find that the quality of N.Z. meat exported is not excelled by other countries ; that the quantity is annually increasing, but that Argentina is challending our premier position, both, lor quantity 'and quality. Thcro is no ground for tho allegation that the colony has not sustained its high standard of aualitv The price realised by N.Z. °ainb "and mutton is the highest given in Britain for tho imported article. The extent of our trade in comparison with Argentina is aa follows :— New Zealand Argentina. 1900 3,154,799 2,331,588 1901 3234,022 i.632,711 1902 3.067,101 2,527.439 1903 3,970.000 2,308,000 The Committee finds that our shipping facilities are good and that the general conditions of transit are satisfactory. There is room for improvement in the method of collecting cargoes at different ports, and an arrangement Should be made for shipping at one port. Tho grading system meets requirements. The Committee thinks that rates of insurance should bo substantially reduced. METHOD OF. SHIPMENT. In regard to regulating shipments, the evidence showed that meat deteriorates in storage, and should be disposed of quickly. No change from the present methods would be possible unless tho whole output was controlled by sonw authority or combination. Certain companies sold nineteen-twentieths of their j moat before it left the colony, and tho prices to farmers were maintained at maximum rates by active competition between representatives of English buyers and N.Z. buyers in securing supplies. MEAT SHOPS CONDEMNED. Roporting on Mr Cameron's scheme for establishing retail shops in Britain, evidence had been given contrary to his statements that we did an infinitesimal trade beyond 50 miles north of London. Two witnesses stated that they supplied large quantities north of that mark. One had seen N.Z. moat in every town in Scotland up to Dundee, and it was prominent over the Midlands and North of England. A shop and a store were tried in Cardiff nnd failed, tho shop losing £300 a year. This witness said that shops gave ollenco to the trade there, and were not necessary now. The Committee, do not think it advisable to open such shops, and recommended advertising our meat in other ways. Tho Committee consider that an increased owtput in tho near future is improbable, flocks haying been heavily drawn upon. The prices now obtained gave a good return to growers, aud competition would secure a reasonable price to sheep growers. KEEfI RIVALS. Discussing our ability to naeet Argentine competition, the Committee thinks it is of first importance to maintain and improve the quality of N.Z. meat, and that the time is not opportune, nor is it necessary, to venture on a system of trade rivalry with a country which could afford to sell to a profit at lower rates than we could. The establishment of shops would lead to severe competition. The history of the trade is then briefly reviewed— from 2000 carcases exported in 1882 to 4,636,537 in 1903.