THE COLONIST. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. TUESDAY, JUNE 3, 1913. THE EMPIRE'S FOOD SUPPLY.

Colonist, Volume LV, Issue 13739, 3 June 1913, Page 4

THE COLONIST. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. TUESDAY, JUNE 3, 1913. THE EMPIRE'S FOOD SUPPLY.

The operations of the Amorican MeatTrust in Australia, which occasioned thoughtful people a good deal of concorn some time ago, were discussed at a sitting of the Empire Trade Commission at Melbourne. The production of meat, wool, and other animal products has been overtaken by the" consumptive demand, and in the case of meat, a foreign producing country, South America, holds the key to the situation as regards Great Britain's supplies, having last year provided 61 per cent of the tvieat imported i- <o the United Kingdom, as against eighteen per cent from Now Zealand and fourteen per cent from Australia. An owner of freezing works anJ exporter of frozen meat appeared as a witness before tho Commission, and enlarged upon tho danger contained in this fact. Ho truly observed that it would bo a bad clay for the Empire when its meat .supply carae under the control of dangerous combinations whoso interests iti times of distress might leave the masses of the Homo Country in a stato not far removed from starvation. Great foreign operators havo obtained a large slice cf the Argentine moat trado with England, and agents are similarly engaged in Australia. North America has gained largo predominance in the Argentine. The danger is a national one. The object of the combines, Hio witness declared, is to obtain entire control of the British market, and she supplies might become so scarce as to warrant steps being taken to save tinworld from the danger of partial starvation. American firms connected, with the trust have had agents in Australasia for several years. They havo been very active in endeavouring to acquire businesses and .sites for j freezing works in various States, and ;i j largo American-owned establishment is being erected near Brisbane. in the United States, it is well known, the trust has been detrimental in reducing the prices paid to producers and increasing the prices paid to consumers. It is known with absolute certainty that the prices paid in America for meat are about double the prices paid in Australasia. Increasing necessity for resort to frozen meat is rapidly breaking down the prejudice at Homo which has hitherto prevented its xise by a large class, and the sale is now being greatly extended. Tho witness to whoso evidence reference has been made, said that besides the increased export to Great Britain, the largest customer, Italy, Germany, Franco, Switzerland, Egypt, South Africa, the Far East, the Pacific Coast of North America, were all importing from us in greater volume. Ho was quite convincod that the supply of tonnage would be adequately maintained. The treatment at destination was capable of improvement, but he was confident that perfection would bo approached more rapidly by leaving the arrangements for reception and distribution to tho consignees, instead of allowing the Government officials, who have little practical knowledge of the produce and no interest in the financial outcome, to intervene. The German market is .slowly but surely opening to our meat, in spite of the agrarian opposition, and an extended demand from other Continental countries for frozen meat will lead to larger calls upon tho countries which can fill tho requirements—South America, New Zealand, and Australia. Tho expansion of the trade is full of opportunities for Australia, with her vast vacant spaces. The witness said that as the rosult of mechanical freezing the waste lands of Australia had 'been rendered more valuable, while

millions of acres of land once more or leas barren and rabbit-infested had been converted into wool and meat producing properties. Nothing was more conducive to rural enterprise than the establishment of a profitable minimum value for leading products of the soil, such as wool, hides and carcase neat.

The industries dependent oh refrigeration had accomplished marvels in that direction,' and; had provided cheap and wholesome food for the teeming masses of the Old World. Ho said Australia was the only country in the world capable of very largely extending its production of wool, especially Merino wool. Australia in ,'averago seasons could greatly increase her export of wool, and supply the deficiencies of the closely-populated old countries. He saw no reason, except a -universal and prolonged drought, why during the next decade Australia should not increase her sheep stock by 20 to 25 per cent, while even under ordinary dry spells sheep should display a steady annual increase as a result of more cultivation, improved water conservation, extended railway communication, and closer settlement. In this connection he commented upon the small proportion of carcases exported to the number of sheep in Australia in comparison with the proportions in New Zealand. Australia only exports aboiit 3,000,000 carcases out of 95,000,000 sheep, whereas New Zealand exports 5,500,000 carcases out of 24,000,000. The possibilities that lie before Australasia as tho chief supplier of the flesh food requirements of the Old Country in tho future, certainly warrant tho serious effort advocated by the witness to keep the business in British hands, and avert a, condition which might in time of war constitute a grave national peril.