DRIED MEAT FOR BRITAIN

Southland Times, Issue 24524, 27 August 1941, Page 6

DRIED MEAT FOR BRITAIN

CONSIGNMENT FROM NEW ZEALAND

(Special) WELLINGTON, August 26 An announcement that a small initial trial quantity of dried meat had been prepared in New Zealand in accordance with a formula prescribed by the United Kingdom authorities was made today by the Minister of Marketing (the Hon. J. G. Barclay) when his attention was drawn to a published statement from London concerning the prospects of the Dominion shipping quantities of dried meat to Britain.

“This experimental consignment will be sent forward early,” Mr Barclay said. “When information about its suitability is available the Government will be in a positon to decide on further action in regard to the production of this commodity.”

A large trial order of dried meat has been placed with the New Zealand Government by the British Ministry of Food. If the results are satisfactory, there is every reason to believe that big consignments will be ordered from the Dominion, according to a recent report from London. Success in drying meat would provide a suitable and profitable outlet for the lower qualities ot meat. Canning is one obvious outlet, but the plant is costly and the product, although it can be sent in unrefrigerated space, actually occupies as much space as frozen meat. I These facts have resulted in active investigations in England by a New Zealander. They have proved that attractive and palatable food can be produced from low grade types of meal. The advantages of using dried meat in wartime are many. From New Zealand’s point of view flie main consideration would be the great saving in shipping space. It is estimated that three to four times the weight of dried meat could be shipped in *he same space as would be required by ordinary carcass meat. The fact that it can be transported in non-refrigerated space is also important. There is no doubt that it would be welcomed by messes in all the forces, by large restaurants, by institutions such as hospitals, and by chain stores. Even the family, now short of fresh meat, would welcome an attractive supplement to its present limited ration. The purpose of the trial order is to ascertain the best methods of shipment and the most economical means of production in New Zealand. Dried meat may be canned or compressed into blocks and packed in wood or fibre . board containers, thus saving tinplate. | Various methods are being tried out. | Informed opinion believes that, if this ' new project is boldly exploited, there : is an excellent prospect of establish- j ing a permanent and profitable outlet for New Zealand’s low-grade meat in the form of a product which is just as nutritious and palatable as fresh meat.