THE FROZEN MEAT INDUSTRY.

Waikato Argus, Volume XXXV, Issue 5549, 5 March 1914, Page 2

THE FROZEN MEAT INDUSTRY.

PHENOMENAL INCREASE IN EXPORTS. FURTHER INCREASE IN FREEZING ACCOMMODATION. We are indebted to the Auckland Farmers' Freezing Company for the following communication dealing with the progress of the frozen meat trade. In a covering letter the secretary states that advice was received yesterday morning from England that "the growth of the world's consumption at the present time is outpacing the increase in supply," so that prospects for prices and demand for meat appear distinctly good:— The continued increase of production in the Auckland province is again manifested by the large increase in exports from Auckland, and although the Farmers' Freezing Company's directorate were of opinion that they were making ample provision last year for the present season, it is evident from the rush for space that further extensions are necessary to deal expeditiously with the fat stock offering for expert. The ligures for the last three seasons from Ist July to 28th February are:---

Sheep and Lambs. Calves. Cattle. P.) 11-12 30,70.(5 1912-13 57,305 725 578 1913-14 65,097 2304 2362 Butter. 11)11-12 271,462 boxes. 1<)12 LI 329,523 boxes. 1913-14 377,802 boxes. The present season represents unprecedented prices for all classes of fat stock, which, taken in conjunction with the fact thst the present is one of the best fattening seasons ever known, has brought about the result that every farmer [in the distiict i.-. making every effort to get off as much stock as possible while the prices remain good. What effect this rush of fat stock to the freezing works will have on next season's supplies it is difficult to say, hut whether the quantity will be available or not the directors of the Auckland Farmers' Freezing Company, Ltd., have decided to further increase the capacity of the Southdown works by adding freezing rooms, store rooms, machinery and plant capable of doing twice the quantity the Southdown works were capable of doing last season, whilst additions will also he made to the boiling-down, tallow, manure and fellmongery departments to enable them to deal with the increased kill-

ings. In view of the fact that those in a position to know best are ot opinion that prices for fat stock for export are likely to remain at the present high level, with a possible increase a! least in the price of beef, the directors of the freezing company should be justified in providing the added facilities, though a glance at the figures of the stock slaughtered two seasons ago should have a steadying effect. It is further remarkable that beef seems to come on in three-year cycles, the following numbers of cattle exported bearing out this unexplained phenomenon:-

During the current season the Freezing Company, and through them the whole of the farming community, have been put to serious inconvenience and loss owing to the delay in the arrival of the new 1-JO-tons refrigerating machine for Southdown, now installed and doing good work. The contract for this machine was placed with the makers in March, 1913, for delivery in November of the same year, by which arrangement the machine would have been running before the New Year. In the meantime additional freezing rooms, stores, etc., were erected ready for the new season's business, but about the time the machine should have arrived in New Zealand a cable arrived instead, stating that the machine had not yet been shipped and could not be shipped before sth November last. Cables were at once despatched to the makers pointing out the serious loss to the community and asking for quicker despatch, but without effect. The machine was ultimately shipped by the Utuki on November 6th, and arrived after a long voyage via Beauty Point, Tasmania, on 9th January this year. Immediately on arrival of the ship every elfort was made to have the machine erected in record time, but some difficulty was experienced in getting at'he heavy eastings, which were ut the bottom of the ship. Two shifts of litters worked day and night, but, even so, the machine did not start work until loth February, about eight weeks later than should have been the case. .Meantime the huge increase of butter had a serious effect on the quantity of stock that could be frozen, For some time now 1700 sheep and lambs and 50 head of cattle per day have been going through the Southdown works, the best day so far being Thursday, 25th February, when IT.S'J sheep and lambs, 53 head of cattle, and 32 calves were slaughtered; but even at this rate of slaughter the exporters are complaining of the delay in gelling stock put through, more particularly with regard to cattle, which are delayed owing to preference being given to lambs. In fairness to the Freezing Company, we might add that never before has such a demand been made for slaughtering cattle at the height of the lamb killing season, and it would have been a bold individual that would have said twelve months ago that tin; 50 per cent, increase cauacitv provided at the Southdown

.works this season would not providi sufficient accommodation to dea with the increase. Nevertheless such is the case, as the fat steel l must be fully 100 per cent, in ad vance of last season. It is more probable that the excep tionaily heavy export of beef thit season will be followed by a seven shortage again next season, as hut always been the case m the past but, in spite of this, the further extension has been decided upon al .Southdown, in addition to the extensions to be made at Auckland, so thai the freeezing works shall be ample to deal expeditiously with 1914-15 requirements. The cost of the additions to buildings and plant at Southdown this year total ±15,000, whilst those to be completed at the same works in time for next season will cost ,£IB,OOO, being a total of £33,000 for the two years, a sum equal to the original cost of the .Southdown works. The fact that indications point to continued good prices, together with the prospect of ample accommodation for reasonable despatch next season, should prove good news to our readers, and alter all that has been said it is gratifying to know that the directorate of the Farmers' Freezing Company are fully alive to the requirements of the district, and are apparently making every ell'orl to provide them.

190G-7 6345 1907-8 4507 1908-9 2505 1909-10 890-1 1910-11 1881 1911-12 898 1912-13 5597