DISTRIBUTION OF MEAT.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18431, 15 March 1922, Page 7

DISTRIBUTION OF MEAT.

AN INTERESTING comparison. Correspondent “Otago Daily Times” LONDON, January 20. In 1903 there were pufilished in New Zealand newspapers certain proposals for the improvement of the marketing and distribution of frozen meat. These proposals and suggestions had been made by Mr. H. C. Cameron, then Produce Commissioner in London, and they were forwarded to the Government by Mr. W. Pember Reeves. Mr Cameron himself afterwards went to New Zealand, and the whole subject had considerable publicity. In view of the present meat scheme it is interesting to note how the suggestions made nearly 2 0 years ago are at least being seriously considered. With regard to “pooling," Mr. Cameron then wrote: “There is a considerable amount of damage occasioned by the necessity of sorting out the numerous marks on the small consignments which are sent Home to various agents ... It might be possible, and I am certain that it would be advantageous it the freezing companies would accept the suggestion that each of them should have a representative in London, stipulating that all meat frozen in their works should be handled by him, to pool all small lots, and return to the several shippers the average price realised. I am of opinion that this treatment of consignments would be fair. There would not then be the lottery of the shipper whose meat was last on board-realising a higher or lower price, according to the rise or fall of the market, than the shipper whose consignment may have been placed first on board, and which was, consequently, the last to be discharged. If an arrangement of this Sort was carried out comparatively few hands would be necessary, and the meat being delivered ’on a face’ would be less liable to injury in handling than now. Regularity of supply must be insisted upon if the trade in this country is to be developed and permanent good is to be obtained; without it trade cannot grow, and business will always be speculative.” ADVERTISING NEW- ZEALAND PRODUCE.

Again on the question of advertising: “I have for years been advocating advertising our meat amongst the wealthier classes in the large towns of the Midlands and the north of England by demonstration. There is a large field there for development and the class to which I wish to appeal has not hitherto been supplied with out meat as New Zealand. Surely if our meat is good enough to sell as English it is good enough to sell as New Zealand. Therfore let us sell it as such,' and gain that advertisement from the high-quality meat which we ought to have. When it is sold as English we get no advertisement and gain little advantage. The retail butcher is the one who reaps the profit . . . Too great attention cannot be paid by the New Zealand producer in catering for the requirements of the British markets. ... it is acknowledged by all experts that the quality of the finest New Zealand mutton received on the English market is excellent. Why,., therefore, should not this desirable supremacy be maintained? With proper care on the part of New Zealand breeders it ought to be. I am inclined to believe that the producer in New Zealand does not really recognise the competition that he has to face. 1 assert that it is serious, and that it called for earnest consideration." REGULARITY OF SHIPMENTS. Regularity of shipment is another matter dealt with. “A matter of great importance, and one which proves very hurtful to the advance of trade in New Zealand mutton at Home, is the irregularity .with whicn shipments from here arrive. ... 1 am not without hope, however, that the seriousness of the position will be recognised, and that an improved system, by which sheep will be fattened and shipped in more even quantities all the year round, will be adapted. The system is followed in River Plate and I cannot see why, where condi tions and climate are equal, it should not as well be carried out in New Zeaand. It, I admit may require some self-sacrifice at first on the part of the producers, but I am certain that the ultimate result of its adoption will prove most thoroughly remunerative.” A steady market with payable prices would be more readily assured.. Regularity of supply must be insisted on if the trade in this country is to be developed aai permanent good is to be obtained; Without it trade cannot grow, and eusiness will always be speculative.” CO-OPERATION I NLONDON. The setting up of a board in London seems to be suggested in the following paragraph:—“The various representatives in London of the New Zealand refrigerating companies could readily form an association, which might meet once each week and compare notes, taking steps to determine prices according to the condition of the market, supplies, etc. I do not suppose that they could control prices, but they could in all probability do much more to regulate them than is now possible. Were it

considered too heavy a charge on the smaller companies to appoint a sole representative, it migh be arranged for two whose interests did not clash to have one between them. Having appointed a representative at Home, it would be necessary for the refrigerating companies to stipulate with shippers that all frozen meat at their works shiped to Great Britain for sal must be sold by him. In the case of a c.i.f. sale being effected in the colony, the sole and price should be notified to the company, so that its representative could be duly informed of the particulars and'could watch the distribution of the meat on arrival. Knowing the price paid by the buyer of that particular line, he would know at what price it could be sold, and so would have a guidance for the determining of his own sales. The representatives could also attend to the disposal of the byproducts of their companies . . There are many interests, those of banks and business houses wTio may have made advances to shippers; but were it arranged so that they would not lose control of the shipments, and that the refrigerating companies performed the office of salesmen at a .nominal charge, I am under the impression it could be carried out. There can be no scheme proposed to benefit the meat trade that will be free from the charge of interfering with some interests, and opposition to it will be taken accordingly. I submit that this scheme, while not being elaborated, is worthy of consideration by the various refrigerating companies in the colony.” Perhaps it would have been an easier matter to have put some of these suggestions into operation 20 years ago than it will be to-day.