FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2571, 4 August 1909, Page 4

FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE.

[Pku l’nicss Association.] WELLINGTON, August 3

Tho Minister of Agriculture made an interesting speech at the Agricultural Conference, in the course of which he touched on some questions of great importance. Referring to the failing price in frozen meat, lie said he was of opinion that something more than fluctuation in values was at work. The outgoing president had suggested that the American Trust might have something to do with it, and lie had read the results of an inquiry made recently in connection with the meat trade at Home, and it was shown without adducing anything definite that things were not satisfactory. The verdict was “not proven.” Whilst the American trust (lid not dominate the Smithfield market, it was shown that its influence certainly extended to the provinces. His own impression was that the present condition of things could be largely attributed to lack of employment and depression at Home. Another cause ■was the system of sales, and claims were made for insurance and for “poor quality” of meat, and unjust amounts ■were frequently awarded on really sound meat. The meat was then sold at Smithfield for lower prices than more honorable tradesmen could afford to sell for. All this tended to reduce prices. Everyone knew that one of the most dreaded diseases was cancer. Lately an attempt liad been made to do something of a most scandalous nature. The spread of cancer had been associated with the consumption of frozen meat. Mr, Mackenzie held up before the delegates a poster which liad reached him from Home, containing the following words, in flaring type: “Yeruing.—Cancer.—Frozen Meat.- —1 üblic warned.” This poster contained au alleged opinion by. a medical man that consumption of frozen meat was responsib.e for cancer. A newspaper published at Home contained similar statements. _ r , “Some of our agents,' said Mr. Mackenzie, “got on the track of this tiling, and got a denial from the medical man who'so name appeared on the poster that lie had ever been guilty of giving such an opinion. It is thought that this may have been a move outlie part of the chilled meat people of the United States. I think it is a most scandalous thing that prejudices of this kind should be created in the public mmd. The meat companies were of opinion that tlifs season’s stocks should be cleared, even at a sacrifice, to make wav for next season’s shipments. There had been some anxiety in the public mind as to the authorising of an advertisement in the London Daily Mail concerning Now Zealand frozen iiiosvt* and stating that the British people m this connection should support the country “that gives a Dreadnought. He had communicated with the High Commissioner,v making enquiries as to the authorship of the advertisements, aqd yesterday received the following reply: “Ro your telegram of 31st July, advertisements, were certainly not authorised by my Department; full inquiries have been made, but have been unable to dscover origin of advertisement.” His own opinion was that some of the meat dealers in the Old Country wore responsible for the advertisement.