NEW ZEALAND MEAT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 3725, 10 January 1913, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND MEAT.

QUESTION OF CONTRACTS

IMPORTANT LONDON MOVEMENT.

LONDON, Nov. 25. The question of the branding of New Zealand meat has created considerable stir in the trade, but hitherto the difficulty has been to get New Zealand’s interests protected, inasmuch as the Incorporated Society of Aleat Importers represents all the interests in the trade —River Plate, Australia, etc. —and apparently these sometimes clash with Ne\v Zealand’s. A meeting, however, was held at the office of the Associated North Island 'Freezing Company of New Zealand on Tuesday, and was well-attend-ed by the majority of the agents representing North island freezing companies. From the information placed before the meeting, it appears that the bulk of the contracts of the various institutions, boards of guardians, hospitals, etc., called for Canterbury meat, and these contracts invariably called for meat with tlie seals on. The Canterbury companies were wise in adopting this method of guaranteeing their meat and securing the business. They have undoubtedly profited bv it. It was reported that Canterbury meat was not always available, and contractors Frequently have to Hold stock for some time in order to fill their contracts. To protect themselves, they naturally charge a lugn price, the benefit of which does not g n to the shipper. At one time Canterbury mutton was of an undoubted grade, higher considerably than the North Island, but during the last few years the North Island has vastly improved, not onlc in the breeding and quality of the sheep, hut more particularly in the grading.' It was freely admitted that this cannot be applied to all works in the North Island, but it is quite open for all the North Island works to bring their grading up to a uniform high standard. The advisableness of protecting New Zealand meat and guaranteeing this to the large institutions by having the ticket attached with a seal was generally admitted, and it was agreed that if the North Island companies were desirous of participating in this trade, they jnust on their part guarantee the meat to the buyer by fixing their tickets securely with the seal. The advantage of this seal is that should the ticket be torn off the seal is always available for evidence. There was some discussion as to the substitution of inferior meat, especially from the River Plate, for contracts, but there was no definite evidence brought forth. Some disputed the fact, but the present system leaves it open to the contractor to substitute inferior meat.

It was finally resolved that the High Commissioner's Office be asked to place, by way of circular letter to the various agents representing the New Zealand meat interests, all information whexh they receive from time to time in reference to meat contracts. The agents representing the various interests would then be left to urge the inclusion of their particular brands from the North Island or Southland in the contracts. After the discussion of the above it was felt that it would be advisable if the New Zealand agents and importers formed themselves into an association for the purpose of watching and protecting the interests’ of the New Zealand trade, and a motion to this effect was carried. Mr H. C. Cameron, Produce Commissioner to the New Zealand Government, was present at the meeting and made the agents acquainted with the steps taken during the past, few years by the High .Commissioner’s Office in the matter. It was agreed that the Government department had adopted a most sensible line, ancl a vote of thanks was accorded to the New Zealand Office in London.