203

1.—7.

10. That legislation he passed giving the Government full powers over shares in freezing companies held under letters of trust. 11. That an independent Board be set up by the New Zealand Government in Wellington, the functions of. which Board to be the pursuance of all matters relative to the Meat Trust : such Board, if possible, to act in conjunction with a similar Board in United Kingdom appointed by the .British Government, and also one in Australia appointed by the Federal Government.

EXHIBIT 22. Birt and Co. (Limited). Refrigerators, Exporters, Shipping and Insurance Agents, and Meat Salesmen,. Head office : No. 4 Bridge Street, Sydney. Brisbane office : Stanley Street, South Brisbane. New Zealand : Invercargill. Freezing and chilling works: Musgrave Wharf, South Brisbane; Murrarie, Brisbane; and Ocean Beach Freezing-works, Bluff, New Zealand. This company is now open to book dates throughout the ensuing season at, their Murrarie works lor the treatment, on growers' account, for export of slice]) and [or] cattle. Early application, giving quantities, is requested. Terms, &c, on application at the company's Offices, Musgrave Wharf, South Brisbane, and No. 4 Bridge St, Sydney.

EXHIBIT 23. Number of Stock slaughtered in the Dominion (excepting that slaughtered by Farmers for Sale or Consumption on the Premises) during the Years 1913-16, inclusive (for the Twelve Months ending 31st December).

EXHIBIT 24. Meat exported from New Zealand during the Years 1913-16.

1913. Number of Equivalent in Animals 60 lb. Freight slaughtered. Carcases. Large cattle .. I 256,000 : 3,072,000 Jalves .. : 20,109 40,218 Sheep .. 3,339,570 3,339,570 Lambs .. I 3,906,458 2,604,305 Pigs.. .. J 187,971 I Number of Animals slaughtered. 325,202 26,911 3,904,902 4,191,479 210,373 19: Equivalent in Number of Equivalent in 601b. Freight Animals (ill lb. Freight Carcases, slaughtered. (.'ureases. .4. 1916. 1910. Number of Equivalent in Animals oolh. Freight slaughtered, Carcases. 383,935 4,607,220 28,500 57,000 3,569,117 3,569,117 3,348,618 2,232,412 176,257 3,902,424 J 340,382 4,084,584 53,822 ! 33,093 66,186 3,904.902 3,989,017 ' 3,989,017 2,794,320 4,387,308 2,924,872 176,625

1818, 19: 4. 1915. 1016. Cwt. Freight Carcases. Cwt. Freight Carcases. Cwt. Freight Carcases. I Cwt. ! freight Carcases. i Boof.. .. 276,113 515,411 Mutton .. 1,111,212 2,074,262 Lamb .. 1,088,457 2,031,786 Pork .. 2,544 4,749 Hams and bacon ' 1,020 1,904 Veal.. .. I 4,280 7,989 i 619,175 1,353,289 1,149,605 1,521 1,389 11,327 1,155,793 2,526,139 2,145,920 2,839 2,592 21,143 761,384 1,421,250 1,497,514 2,795,359 1,200,864 2,241,613 6,401 11,948 3,469 6,472 14,522 27,108 992,749 : 1,853,131 1,276,237 ; 2,382,309 967,022 1,805,108 6,157 11,493 2,646 I 4,939 10,667 ' 19,911 4,636,101 5,854,426 6,503,750 6,076,891