MR A. M'KINIAY'S TRIP HOME.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXV, Issue 1977, 4 March 1893, Page 3

MR A. M'KINIAY'S TRIP HOME.

Tho following is the concluding portion of Mr M'Kinlay's observations, communicated to our representative, on various matters of interest in connection with his trip Home : — THE FKOZBN MEAT TRADE.

During his .stay at Home, Mr M'Kiulny very naturally interested himself in the position occupied by this, ore of our most valuable exports, in the English markets. It had, at the outset, he ascertained, many deeprooted prejudices to overcome, and even now, whatever may be said to the contrary, it is not as popular us it deserves to be, or as tho enterprise of exporters in this colony entitle them to. There aro many reasons for this,

and, he thitiks, they may be fairly divided between the mistakes committed on this side in the earlier stages of tho industry and the inordinate selfishness of tho middlemen at Home. Inexperience was principally responsible for whatever mistakes were made in connection with the industry on this side of the water at the outset, though no doubt the quality of Iho shipments were also frrquently very inferior, and tho unfavourable impression left on the minds of consumers has not yet been wholly eradicated. But far more serious and won difficult to overcome are the unprincipled tactics of the middlemen. The lax regulations, or, rathe, the f-lnost entire absence of regulations, connected with the disposal of frozon ir.cst, puts a premium on all kinds of questionable tricks of the trade. Tho j current belief at Home— and there are no doubt good (.rounds for it — is that inferior Home-raised mutton is sold as New Zealand mutton; and people who meet with an ugly experience in this way a few limes form an unconquerable dislike against anything in the shape of imported fr< Z3n meat. As an instance of the prejudice still exist in or, Mr M'Kinhy stated that in many large English and Scotch towns butchers dou'fc ear*? about selling it ; and no doubt for the aH-siiffijient reison that they are acquainted with the fnelings of their customers on the subject. The only way in which this prejudice can be overcome is by the exporters appointing agents specially in thp large provincial towns for the sale of New Zealand frozen mutton, and trust to time to dispel the ignoraneo that at present exists on the subj-ct. Tbry hold that it is much inferior to Eng'ish mutton ; and not only that, but there are opinions abroad in connection with the process of preservation of the mo3t ludicrous and preposterous kind. Perhaps all this is only what might be expected on the first appearance of such a gigantic I industry in the ficM, particularly uheu it is remembered that it comes into competition with such powerful interests at Home. At present, to put it shortly, it stands this way : that some butchers won't sell it aud others retail it as English mutton. Add to this that inferior English is fiequently passed off as K"ew Zealand mutton, and you will Imvc a pretty fair idea of the extent to which, at the present time, tho trade is handicapped. These remarks apply mainly to the provincial towns; and though in London it has not obtained the popularity that certainly awaits it in the future, it is still in great demand, and tremendously large quantities of it are consumed there. It is sold from 61 to SI a. pound ; the price depending ou the cut and quality. Even in towns like Manchester, I Liverpool, and Elinburgh it is scircely ever seen. There is a famous establishment in Lundon named Whitley's Universal Provider, an immense place, even in a city like London, that boasts of the most gigantic concerns in the world. There is scarcely an article that could be named rb t cannot be found here, including New Zealand frozen mutton, of which there are large quantities always in stock. At such an cstibiisbment you may rely on getting the genuine article, and in consequence they do an immense trade. The meat looks well on arrival, and instructions are affixed to each carcass describing the manner in which it should be treated after leaving the freezing chamber and preparatory to being used. As an instance of the standard of popularity which the meat is capable of obtaining under ordinary circumstances, Mr M'Kirlay mcutioned that on the return trip on the Biiru!aka,tbeonly fresh moat used was New Zealand frozen beef and mutton, and in every iistanco it was as full-fl ivoured and as fresh as if it had been killed on the day it was used. He docs not think the branding of carcasses,a measure Lord Onslow is endeavouring to cive the sanction of law to, will have the effect of putting an end to the deception at present practised, though no doubt it -vi ill have a beneficial effect. Time alone, and the combii ed exertions of the exporters, through their agents on the other side of the water, can dissipate the prejudices that have been crea id by various causes and limit tho ques ionable practices of the middlemen. HOME POLITICS. Mr M'Kinlay was too late for tho general elections by a fortnight or three weeVg. But even on his arrival the feeling had not diminished and was hot enough and strong enough to make th'j fevered excitement of a party struggle in this colony look a very poor oIE-iir indeed. The feeling secrae.i to have permeated down through every grade and class of the people, and the struggle is regarded as one of the hardest fought apd most historic proba? bly on record. The Unionist and Conscrvat'n c party are not at all as dispirited over the result as might be imagined. The fact is they expected to be beaten, and beaten by a much ! larger majority than tho result of tho election showed. And their defeat under such circumstances was, among many of them, rather a matter for congratulation than gloom or despair. This is more particularly th« case when it is remembered that in England there is still a substantial majority against Home Rule. There is also the further consideration that the House of Lords will alrrost oertainly throw out the Bill j either that or they will emasculate it in such a manner as to rondcr its acceptance impossible. Then will follow another appeal to the country, on the distinct and simple issue of Homo Rule. This the Opposition maintain to be necessary, even from v purely constitutional standpoint, as I they conteud that the constituencies have not yet given their diotum on the great principles involved in the Home Rule question. This is the Opposition view of the question. But the Gladstonians ask, Where is the guarantee, either in the event of another appeal being made to the country that the ' House cf Lords will give way should the argwer of the popstitnencios be against them f or that the question of Homo Rule will form the only subject of issue? For instance, the dis* establishment of the State Churches in England, Wales, aud Scotland is beginning to loom quite as large now as Home Rale, and it occupies a much larger place in the minds of many thousands of people in England and Scotland than Home Rule. It is i impossible to understand the minds of the \ constitucuces at Ilome or to speculate upon the changes of opinion and feeling that a few weeks may produce. It is, therefore, utterly iropostib.je to say beforehand what reply may be giyen' to another appeal, Qt course, the j Liberals pan strengthen their hands by an ex- ' tension of the franchise and other kindred ' measures ; and there is no doubt that every ' extension of the franchise strengthens the ' power of the Liberals. This was clearly enough proved during the late elections in the case of the newly-enfranchised rural laborers. ; For the first time probably in history, the Liberals were able to get a footing in the ' counties and scored heavily, despite the ex- : ertions of both the squire and the parson. i And, by : tbe-way, it should be said thut recent : erents in Ireland, arising ont' pf clerical interference at elputions, have had the effect of alienating tho support of certain classes of voters in Scotland from the cause of Home Rule. A new feature of the last elections was the attempt of the trades unionists to form an independent party and fight for their own band. The result showed they arc not yet strong enough to do anything in that way. In some instances they spoiled the chances of a Conservative candidate, but oftener of a Liberal, without advancingtheir own interests in any degree. Tho chances are that in the coming struggle the Gladstonians will think it worth their whilp to popciliate the Labour P,arty and secure their support. PAEITAL 'AND' LAgOUB. Money, Mr M'Kinfay said, was never more plentiful at Home lh,an it is at the present time, and sejdoro of so little value, Capital; itsts do not know what to do with or where to turn to for safe investments. In England there ia no stability, no security, no safe ' ground.* for cftloulftviou fran d.»y fa fay, I

I throughout the whole commercial and industrial area. The very air nt Home seems to vibrate with dread and uncertainty. A huge strike, affecting hun-ireds of thousands of men, and millions worth of property, may be ushered in with the dawn any morning,and tho b "it to m knocked out of the biggest, industry in the country. The capitalists aud the wageearners aro like two tinned camps watching each other, neither very sure of what the other may next do, end both preparing cithe.r for di fence or attack. With such a state of things existing, there cm bo no desire for investment. And the banks will give no •interest on money unless it is placed on fixed deposit, and then their intere.-t does not go beyond 2or 3 per cent. There is a continual stream of English money flowing into the vurious Amcricau Republics, where interest is high, though the risk is considerable.

AS OTHEKS SEE US. Mr M'Kinlay spoke iv high terms of the position occupied by New Zealand at Home. There is nothing but complimentary things heird on every hand of the progress of the colony withiu the last few years, it being looked upon as little less than phenomeuul. This is regarded as proof of tho marvellous rcenptraUve pjwcrsof the colony, evido.iccsof which are seen in its cons'aully-increjsing export?, and it. is now looked upon by menied people as the best and safest field for investment among the Australasian colonies. The fact also that it can get along and even reach a high state of prosperity, living the while within its income and eschewing the moneylender, has been favourably commented on by the financial journals at Home, and it is held up in this respect as an example to t!>e sister colonies. Victoria, on the other hand, is spoken of as if it wero a plngue spot, and it wi'l bo nimy a day before it has ag'iin regained the confilonco of English investors.