DEAR MEAT.

Colonist, Volume LV, Issue 13648, 13 February 1913, Page 8

DEAR MEAT.

"Whilst crossing Canada I had the pleasure of payings dollar (4s 3d) for a New Zealand chop, but it was worth it compared with their own mutton. bo says Mr P. B. Chauvel, an Australian stock-owner, who has been on a tour of America, where he paid particular attention to the cattle industryThe cattle, raiser in the States (according to Mr. Chauvel) invariably ships-his stock to market by rail. Droving by road is not considered satisfactory, and the country is so well provided with railroads it is simple to rail them. They even do this if then market is only ten or twelve miles distant. Stock are not auctioned in the wards, as is done in Australasia. Awnts who have consignments invite offers from likely buyers, and when one is .considered satisfactory, accept it. This method ©truck Mr. Chauvel as being most unsatisfactory to the seller, and open to abuse. Cattle so^d at pci pound, lav© weight, and, at the big saleyards of Chicago, Kansas, and Fort Worth, they weighed by the pen. "Whilst Mr. Chauyel was in Chicago. prime, baby beef wrts worth lie. (5-Jd.) per lb. (live weiglit), and it is claimed this class only dress'- about 5.01b. in tht hundred, thus the cost to the carcas* butcher on the block, without labour, will be about Is. Even this high price hard'.y explains why1 tho restaurants charge 6s. or 7s. per portion if yov order ''tenderloin" eteak. What if termed baby beef is keenly .sought aftei in the States now, and it is generallj conceded-that."this craze is going tc cans© tho shortage of aged cattle or the -markets which is moro"marked each year. Of course the tariff block* the introduction of outside beef at present, bxit during the late Presidential election ■ the:• Democrats claimed, that ij -'•Wood-row-; 'Wilson was '■ elected-ther* would a- great opening for Australia! and New Zealand beef and mutton.