FROZEN MEAT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2456, 22 March 1909, Page 6

FROZEN MEAT.

PROGRESS OF THE TRADE

.'. MR JOHN COOKE INTERVIEWED

• Among the passengers hj the P. and O. R.M.S. Mahva, which arrived yesterday (says the Melbourne ‘ : Argus” of March 9th), was Mr John Cooke, who was able to afford some interesting information in regard to the development of the frozen meat trade. During his 12 months absence from Melbourne Mr v. Cooke visited India,, and most of the European countries, in. addition to travelling over the United Kingdom. In the course of an interview yesterday Mr Cooke said: —“The progress, of the frozen meat trade has been phenomenal, and it may be regarded as one of the leading importing industries of the United Kingdom. That such a trade in. the space of less than 30 years should spring from nothing to its present huge dimensions is little less than miraculous, and that it must continue to develop extensively is a certainty. Not only is the population of the United Kingdom materially increasing, but the average consumption of meat per head is also steadily advancing. At the same . time the live stock in Great- Britain and ‘lreland is nearly stationary as regards quantity, and it has become necessary to import from America, Australia, and elsewhere more than one-third of the meat to fulfil the country’s requirements.” Hew are the operations of the American Beef Trust regarded in England? “A good deal of concern exists with regard to its methods and its future policy in the United Kingdom, and a strong Government commission on meat combinations has been taking evidence for some months in relation to its prospective influence on the British meat trade. I hardly expect the commission to propose any legislative interference at present, as the British consume so much foreign meat and must have it, but I anticipate that it will sound a strong note of warning, and that it will confirm the prevalent fears that the .Americans are. quietly aiming at such a control of Great Britain’s meat trade as would be detrimental to the English public as a whole.” . Is there any possibiity of these a.ims being fulfilled? ' “Personally, I entertain no doubt that a large American meat combination exists in some form in the .United States, and that it works more or less against the American farmer and consumer, but I am equally certain that British and colonial enterprise and ability will never A allow it eitner to capture or control the meat trades of Great Britain, as, g-'jen the slightest chance, it would certainly seek to do. It is known to me that the big American meat packers are steadily acquiring additional freezing works in Argentina, and greatly extending their shipments of chilled and frozen beef to the United Kingdom; but British meatinterests are not going to let them have, all.their own way in. South America, aud will assuredly keep abreast of their American cousins there. It is admitted that the domestic requirements of the United States are rapidly overtaking their supplies, and consequently their exports of meat to the United Kingdom have been decreasing, and will, I consider, eventually cease. The big American packers forming the trust, as well as another one or two independent Yankee meat exporters, have now verylarge organisations for the disposal of their meat, and the resulting by-pro-ducts in the United Kingdom, and they A have therefore found it necessary either to reduce their staffs, and eventually close their branches, or find fresh work for them in handling meat from for„-gn sources. They have apparently decided upon the latter alternative, and it is quite safe to say that, having put their hands to the plough, they are going to press forward. It would be a terrible calamity to allow them to go too far, arid as I have stated, I believe this will be prevented by ordinary business enterprise on the part of Englishmen at home and colonials abroad.” Have the Americans shown any disposition to exploit Australia as they have already begun to exploit Argentina ? “It is true that the Americans have already been buying Australian frozen meat for distribution through their British agencies, and it is not improbable that they may repeat their Argentine policy in Australia. But their great leading line is chilled beef, and as wo have, not yet solved the problem of transporting Australian beef in a chilled state to England they aro playing a waiting game.” From your experience in the shipping of chilled beef from the Argentine, what opinion have you formed as to its safe shipment from Australia to Europe? “I consider that it will shortly be possible to transport chilled beef from Australia to England, but not with cxt isting appliances, and not- in slow and irregular cargo steamers, taking about two months for the voyage from Queensland ports to London or Liverpool. Three or four years ago it was thought that about a month was the maximum time that chilled beef could be kept sound and good from killing- until consumption, but with improved methods and greater care it can safely be kept in a chilled state for between 40 and GO days. This, however, demands extreme "care at every stage of the treatment, with special refrigerating machinery aiid other processes, supervised by skilful engineers. The beef must also go into consumption without delay. Any attempt to carry chilled beef in the ordinary refrigerated holds of existing cargo steamers, which load and discharge at numerous ports, must end in failure and loss. Much as I am in favor of Australia competing with Argentina for this trade, I will not attempt it until the proper appliances are available.” Are the new Orient liners suitable for the transport of chilled beeef? “While these are the very*.best class of steamer .for the purpose,- they have unfortunately been equipped with refrigerating machinery on Jho. cold air system, which, while suitable for frozen meat*, butter,- rabbits, and fruit, is A not suitable for chilled quarters. There may be some means of overcoming this

disability.” Is’any good result likely to follow upon the'congress of refrigerated industries in Paris last October ? ■ ‘-'The congress— which, by the way, : I attended as representative of the .Coni--inonwealth —will undoubtedly have atbe-. nefioial result from an educationalstandpoint, but practical effects in the : vi av of introducing Australian and New Zealand meat into continental countries are bv no means imminent. The congress, despite its representative character, win probably not have the slightest. effect • m changing the policy which, regards "as paramount the protection of the lots- cal producer on the land. Necessity arising; from, scarce and dear meat willa* eventually forces politicians to change At’-" their ■present system of .practical proln-bt-i - ' -e ■ ) A ' . - .

bition, but the time is not yet. The congress, however, marked a wonderful step in they of the science of refrigeration. It was attended by about 4,000 delegates and associates from every nation of the world. The next congress will be. held in Vienna a few years lienee. Doubtless’ many of the drawbacks inseparable from "an inaugural gathering, composed of four or five times as many people as were anticipated at the outset, will be removed.”