CHILLED BEEF

Southland Times, Issue 22073, 21 July 1933, Page 7

CHILLED BEEF

N.Z. SHIPMENT

UNQUALIFIED SUCCESS

MR FORBES GRATIFIED

SMITHFIELD IMPRESSED

(United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.’ London, July 19.

Mr G. W. Forbes and Mr R. Masters visited Smithfield this morning to see the results of the chilled beef experimental shipment, They ware welcomed by the chairman of the London Markets Committee and the Smithfield superintendent. Mr David Jones and Mr R. S. Forsyth were present.

The beef quarters were well displayed, and the quality of the meat was very good. The experiment was pronounced an unqualified success, and it was described as an epoch-making event by some of the Smithfield dealers, showing conclusively that the difficulties of bringing chilled beef from New Zealand have been overcome. Mr Forbes, when interviewed, said he was extremely gratified at the success of the experiment which was of great moment to New Zealand, and he congratulated Borthwick’s, the Meat Board, the Cambridge low-temperature station and the New Zealand Scientific Department on the splendid results of their enterprise and experimems. The New Process. The Port Fairy’s consignment of chilled beef which Mr Forbes and Mr Masters inspected at Smithfield was the first to arrive under the new gas process in which the beef is carried at a temperature of 28J degrees in chambers filled with carbon-dioxide. The voyage lasted 42 days. Experts characterize the consignment as the best shipment of chilled beef that has ever reached this country, either from Australia or New Zealand. There was an entire absence of mould. The trade comment is very favourable. Mr Forbes declared. “That’s wonderful. I should like to taste it, whereupon Borthwick’s promised to send joints to his hotel. Mr McCann said: “The quality, colour and butchering equal the Argentine. There is no reason why Australia could not be similarly successful with gas chambers.” Most of the consignment was sold at three halfpence to twopence higher than frozen. HOPEFUL AUGURY AUSTRALIAN MEAT INDUSTRY. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 8.40 p.m.) Sydney, July 20. Mr J. E. Bryce, who represents Thomas Borthwick and Sons here, said the New Zealand shipment of chilled beef by the Port Fairy was a hopeful augury for the meat industry in Australia, and added that experiments with the process had been carried out in Brisbane. The meat had kept for 48 days in perfect condition, although none had been shipped. He expressed the opinion that further, experience would be necessary to demonstrate its complete trustworthiness. It would be a wonderful thing if Australia could get into the beef exporting business on a large scale, THE TRADE PLEASED BEEF IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, July 20. The Hon. J. G. Coates, Acting-Prime Minister, announces that the New Zealand Meat Producers Board has received a cable from the London manager, advising that the recent consignment of chilled beef in the Port Fairy arrived in excellent condition. The message states there was no sign of mould and it was considered the condition of the beef was practically equal to South American. It is being distributed through the Smithfield and provincial markets. The trade at Home is very pleased with the quality and condition and agrees it is the most successful shipment ever landed from Australia or New Zealand. The Meat Board co-operated with Messrs Thomas Borthwick and Sons, Ltd., in the shipment which comprised 520 hind quarters of beef, handled at the company’s Waingawa works and loaded at Wellington on June 7. DEVELOPMENT OF TRADE ELEMENTARY STAGE PASSED. (Per . United Press Association.) Masterton, July 20. The development of a regular and commercially successful trade in the export of New Zealand chilled beef to Great Britain was predicted to-day by Mr P. J. Borthwick, a director of Messrs Borthwick and Sons in discussing the results of the firm’s second experimental shipment by the Port Fairy. The results, he said, were extremely gratifying and they open up definite possibilities for breeders of the Dominion, A cable received by the firm from London stated there was no sign of mould in the shipment The beef was of good quality but in order to equal the Argentine it will be necessary to have younger cattle. The shipment, said Mr Borthwick, might almost be termed a commercial success. He had every reason to believe the experimental stage in the export of chilled beef had been passed and the firm felt that it could now go right ahead with the development of the trade. He said it was essential that the cattle should be young, not over 21 years and weighing from 650 to 7501b5. OUTLOOK FOR THE FUTURE DIFFICULTY OF MAINTAINING SUPPLIES. (Per United Press Association.) Christchurch, July 20. The opinion that provided the carcasses can be landed in good condition New Zealand chilled beef will compete successfully on the London . market with chilled beef from Argentina was expressed this evening by Mr E. G. Norman, general manager in New Zealand for Thomas Borthwick and Sons, Australasia, Ltd., under whose auspices the experimental shipment mentioned in the cablegram was exported. Mr Norman said that the trial shipment, which was the second to be made, consisted of 480 hindquarters, all being from the Wairarapa district and treated at the Waingawa works, near Masterton. Borthwicks experimented with a shipment on the Port Fairy about three months ago, but this was not such an unqualified success as the present one, although it was not by any means a failure. On the second trip carbonic acid gas had been pumped into the freezing chamber on the vessel with the object of preventing mould