MEAT FOR SMITHFIELD

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 443, 27 August 1928, Page 16

MEAT FOR SMITHFIELD

DEMAND FOR QUALITY ENGLISH EXPERT’S TOUR After a tour of over 9,000 miles through New Zealand and Australia, C'olonel Dunlop Young, of Smithfield, London, is returning to the Old Country with a good knowledge of overseas conditions. Colonel Young has been investigating the meat question in both the Commonwealth and the Dominion. Referring to the kind of meat the Smithfield Markets want from overseas for sale in England, he said: “If you do not produce the right quality, then the buyers will go elsewhere. It is the same with everything. Take English motor-cars, for instance. Up to the present England has not produced the right kind of car for New Zealand and Australia—the Americans have. But England is now building the car you want." Colonel Young emphasised the necessity for giving the retail trade, and the customers, what they wanted, Smithfield wanted light-weight, not too fat meat. He believes that there is a great opportunity for Australia in the lamb export trade. New Zealand has already firmly established her place on the London markets. As far as beef was concerned. Colonel Young says that the ideal weight for Smithfield is from 6001 b. to 8001 b. “I was horrified to see the amount of bruising and damage done to carcases in Australia,” he continued. “In my opinion this is brought about by long-horned animals. Other countries have got over this difficulty and there is no reason why Australia should not do so." The Premier of Queensland, the Hon. W. McCormack, intimated to Colonel Young that his Government was prepared to consider giving rail freight concessions on dehorned or hornless cattle sent over the State railways This, he said, would mean better hides, as they would not be damaged. He thinks that cattle should be branded close to the tail, with a small brand, as the present one used is much too big. While in Australia Colonel Young travelled far into tl%e interior, often over bush tracks where the direction was blazed on trees. ’ “I did this in an American motor-car," he commented.

“Our motor people should go over the same country then they would know what kind of a car is needed." The visitor was greatly impressed by New Zealand and will be a useful publicity man when he returns to London.