FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3150, 21 February 1911, Page 2

FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

THE SLUMP OF ICO9

In the course of his address at Palmerston North, the other day, Mr W. 1). Lysnar contended tlmt the slump of 1909 was not justified if the official figures were taken into-account. It was, he said, all caused by 518,000 extra carcases going into London in four months —a mere drop in the bucket of the total quantity required. This slump would have been avoided if decent storage facilities were provided. At present the stores were totally inadequate to carry on the trade without sacrificing meat by selling at unsuitable periods. The whole storage capacity in London —even allowing for stores where there were cobwebs instead of meat—was 2,737,500 carcases, though New Zealand, which, had only to hold for shipment, not for market, possessed cold storage for 1,788,000' carcases and Liverpool 1,500,000 carcases. Now Zealand meat producers were, owing to the methods he had described, and the losses duo to faulty handling of carcases, losing at least a million sterling annually. He was satified'. from the evidence of retail butchers’ books that they sold New Zealand meat ‘"l s English, at the top price. The producer got 4-kl at most- and the retailer lid per lb. He did not say that the producers should get everything, but by proper reform of the handling system in London they could get a very much better proportion of the lid. Much more storage was required at the docks. The Loudon authorities should not lease frontages to foreign companies to the detriment of New Zealand firms. He suggested that the port authorities should provide a. new dock in a more central position. Stores should be built alongside, so that the meat or other produce could be taken straight from the ship and stored without unnecessary handling. The authorities! had promised, if New Zealand producers would help, to materially increase the dock accommodation. He favoured a system of grading meat similar to butter, cheese’ and hemp; He suggested a tax on stock to pay the cost of supervision in London, and also ai board to control supplies and conditions.