THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3259, 3 July 1911, Page 2

THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

SIR WILLIAM HALL-JQNES ON ITS FUTURE.

QUAYSIDE STORES WANTED

Replying to the toast of “The Empire. and Refrigeration, ’’ proposed by Sir' Montague Nelson, at the annual dinner of the Cold Storage and Industrial Association in London, Sir Win. Hall-Jones remarked on the enormous importance of the frozen meat trade, not only to the great number of people engaged in the importation and distribution of that food commodity, but also to the teeming millions oQ the United Kingdom, wlho, but for this supply, would very often have to go without meat. He believed it was a fact that there had been no marked increase in meat prices in recent years, and as this was the case despite a great increase of population, it was evidence of how one part Of the Em pi re cculd help another. Tho trade, of course, was going to develop a great deal more yet, and as the interests of producers and distributors were mutual, the object of those in the country of consumption should bo to improve upon existing methods of distribution so as to create an increased demand. They sliodld also be sure that everything was of the best quality, and handled in the best manner when it arrived. He bad heard criticism recently as to the. methods of handling in force in England. He did not agree with some of the statements made but lie had often thought that- the method was for the meat imported to pass direct into cold stores, built right at the quayside, and its distribution to be effected with He minimum of exposure and handling. The meat- itself was. prepared under the best of conditions, and if the methods of handling and distribution were a little improved upon it would- be better for everybody, including the distributors themselves. He had been delighted during the past- few months to note the change that ivas coming over the Continental market. Austria, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland were already shelving signs of becoming markets for frozen meat, and he could torsee* the time when they would have a greatly-extended market tor their meat. It behoved them to' be prepared to extend the trade not only into every part of Europe,,, but also into every corner of Gicat Britain. He was not afraid of duties, but he did not like the almost prohibitive restrictions which some European countries imposed on frozen meat. But the time was coming when the people of those countries ivould force their rulers to remove those barriers to a cheap food supply, and he believed that the next three years ivould see almost every. country' opened to frozen meat. Sir William went on to say that he did not remember ever having heard in past years, as Sir Montague Nelson liad suggested, of a disposition on the part of the British colonies to out the painter. His association with tlie colonies extended over 40 years, and he had never heard that suggestion made. The various parts of the British Empire were quickly increasing their populations and one day such parts as Australasia would show a population exceeding that .of the Mother Country. And all these ivould be under the one flag, each one working for his fellow’s good. He often thought that it might be well if some of those who had to deal with the affairs of the land were put- on ships and taken round the world. It would give them a proper idea of the greatness of the Empire.