CARELESS HANDLING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16542, 28 September 1921, Page 7

CARELESS HANDLING.

DOMINION MEAT AT HOME. [From Our Correspondent.] INVERCARGILL,' September 27. A well-known Southland settler, Mr W. M’ln tosh, lias returned, to Invercargill, from England with a distinctly unfavourable impression of the methods of marketing New Zealand produce, particularly frozen meat. He says there is practically no supervision at present, and it is urgently needed if the mutton and lamb is to retain its position. He saw meat fie for hours on a station exposed to the weather. The conveyances in which it was removed were remarkable for the filth that littered the floors. To a New Zealander such treatment of meat was almost incredible.

Naturally produce treated in this way is not marketed in an attractive state. Mv M’ln t osh says be would think twice about feeding to dogs some of the New Zealand meat he saw on sale. He says mutton might be “done up ” to better effect before it leaves the Dominion. Argentine beef is bound in two scrim coverings, the outer one of which is removed when the meat reaches the market. Hie shanks of American meat are always covered. New Zealand meat is provided with only one covering, which more often than not becomes damaged in handling, the mutton thereby becoming exposed to contamination. The shanks are left exposed, and they get very dirty before they reach the shops. Even if the meat is in good condition the customer is likelf to be repelled by the uninviting appearance of the shanks. The defective methods of packing are particularly unfortunate, says Mr M’ln tosh, at a time when English farmers are conducting active propaganda against overseas meat from motives that are not far to seek. They derive valuable assistance in this work from the laxity of the marketing conditions of New Zealand produce.

The disparity between tho price paid to the freezing companies and that charged to English consumers impressed Mr MTntosh unfavourably. At Glasgow ho was shown a price list compiled by a distributing firm showing ex quay Liverpool price, ex store London quotation, and c.i.f. Glasgow quotation for various grades of New Zealand meat. The ex quay quotation for wether mutton varied according to weight, and averaged 7d. The price in the shops was Is Id to Is 2d. Lamb was selling up to Is Sid- For the same, meat the New- Zealand farmer was paid approximately 3£d, and from s£d to 6d respectively.

someone is gerring too mg a profit,” said Mr MTntosih, “ and tho farmer should find the spot as quickly |as possible. Either he should get a ! good deal for meat, or its popularity should be encouraged by its s*l© at ! much cheaper rates to the consumer. I That is tho position on the surface. To probe beneath the surface is difficult for those who know become reticent when pertinent' questions are asked.*’