Frozen Produce.

Waikato Argus, Volume XXV, Issue 3942, 21 November 1908, Page 2

Frozen Produce.

Most important matters were discussed at the International Refrigeration Conference held recently in Paris.

Mr J. T. Crichell prepared a paper on "The race in Perishable Produce," divided into two headings: 1. The progress of trade in perishable produce since the adoption of refrigeration; 2. general statistics. Unluckily, Mr Critchell was suffering from indispostioin, and as he was unable to be present a summary of his paper was presented by Mr H. C. Cameron. "The history of the frozen meat trade, now well known," the paper read, "is always most interesting. Although the value of cold as a preservative had long been recognised, it is only of comparatively recent years that means have been discovered by which artificial cold could be produced and applied for the preservation of perishable products under unusual conditions. The first trial

shipment of frozen meat on commercial and continuing lines was made in 1880, when, the test having prov-

Ed successful, the great industry, now so firmly established, commenced. That it was possible to produce cold by the compression of gas was before that date, however, proved, and in 1573 a shipment,

I which unfortunately was unsuccessful, had been made by Mr James IJHarrison, of Australia. That refrigeration as now known would be possible, and that its all reaching benefits would be such as they now are, was, however, never dreamed of in those days, even by the greatest

visionary. That the discovery stands out alone of the greatest of the 19th century goes without saying." After having referred briefly to the expansion of the trade since its inauguration and after having quoted statistics relative to Australia, New Zealand, the Argentine, and the United States, Mr Cameron went on to observe: "As the frozen meat trade has advanced, so improvements in connection with it have been elfected. Faults that in the earlydays were found have been removed, and in general get up, in shipping arrangements, in handling and in marketing the conditions are greatly in advance of those of 10 years ago. It must not be forgotten, however, that the business is still comuaratively young, and that it has expanded at an enormous rate. Consequently the problems that have constantly presented themselves for solution in connection with it have been many.

Mr Critchell's paper then turned to the subject of dairy produce, the author noting that like the importation of frozen meat that ot dairy produce from British possessions to Great Britain had assumed importance only since the introduction of refrigeration, and the development of the trade had been continuous since its inauguration in the year | 1884. Undoubtedly refrigeration | had played an important part in build- [ ing up a large trade in butter, of which the quantity imported to Great Britain last year was 4,210,4 iOcwt. Of this, 1,646,620cvvt were carried in refrigerated chambers. The growth of the Siberian export of butter during the past seven years had been surprising and wonderful. From 151,760cwt in 1900 it increased steadily to 648,500cwt in 1007, and those who had studied the position assert that this increase would continue. The care of the butter industry taken by the Russian Government was such as to ensure good quality and condition of the output, and the enterprise was deserving cf success. As for cheese, Mr Criterell pointed out that Canada was the chief outside supplier to Great Britain. New Zealand had begun to give greater attention to its productjon, and last year her export showed an advance of 05 per cent on the shipments of the previous season, rising from 17G,079cwt in 1900-7 to 291,017cwt in 907-8 The quantity of cheese sent from Australia had hitherto been small, although there had recently been signs of a development of the industry there.

The discussion on Mr Gilbert An- ' derson's paper was short, but Mr 11. C. Cameron banded in the following statement, in support both of it and of the resolution Mr Anderson had submitted in favour of a uniform standard of meat inspection : —"The question raised in Mr Anderson's paper—the establishment of a system of inspection of meat that would have an international standard —is one, 1 consider, worthy of the fullest consideration, and to the suggestions made that a conference of the leading authorities of the world on meat inspection should beheld to discuss and, if possible, establish such a system, no person interested in the supply of pure and wholesome food should object."

Having outlined the methods pursued in New Zealand, Mr Cameron noted in conclusion: "Under such conditions there should be little to fear from the importation of the meat in any country, and 1 feel assured that if an international sys-

tem of inspection, as that suggested by Mr Anderson, could be arranged, it would be to the mutual benefit of every country interested in the question of the food of the people." The paper and resolution met witli the approval of the conference.