MEAT EXPORT TRADE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18636, 4 August 1930, Page 16

MEAT EXPORT TRADE.

NO DEMAND FROM GLASGOW Captain A. W. Pearse. representative for Australia and New Zealand of the Port of London Authority, writes: “I have just read a pamphlet issued by the Port of Glasgow, advocating direct shipments of meat to that port. Kindly insert the following points regarding their meat trade: — “Glasgow imports 1 per cent., i.e.. I,oooth of the total importation of frozen chilled meat into the United Kingdom. “It is hardly likely that such shrewd traders as Vestey’s and the South American Companies would miss the opportunity of shipping a larger percentage to that port if there were anv prospect of developing the trade. The small and uncertain demand does not justify direct shipments. “Whatever may be the geographical ! position of Glasgow in relation to Scotland, the plain fact is that the Scots prefer their own home-grown meat and only a small quantity of frozen is re- 1 quired for the poor classes. “It would be bad advice to any ship- ! per to recommend him to ship frozen j meat to such an uncertain market as j Glasgow, when London offers such un- j rivalled opportunities both as a local ! market and also for provincial distribution. “Of the 40,000,000 consumers in the United Kingdom. 18.000.000 depend upon imported mutton, lamb, and beef. Of the 18,000,000, over 13.000,000 are supplied through London and 6,500.00 of these 13,000,000 are within ten miles of London. “Many people fail to realise that when meat is sent from the Dominion to England it has to be sold in a wholesale market and it is London only which offers an international market. It is not practicable to ship direct from the Dominions to butchers and very small markets all over the country. “The position with regard to butter and apples is practically the same as for meat. “It is a recognised fact that the great market for New Zealand and Australian butter is the South of England. “The juggling with railway and other rates is simply a ‘red herring’ to draw the attention of shippers away from the best market.”