NEW MARKETS FOR OUR FROZEN MEAT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1669, 22 September 1887, Page 3

NEW MARKETS FOR OUR FROZEN MEAT.

The frozen meat trade of New Zealand is a subject of such great import tance to the Colony that we offer no apology for again referring to it. Since we last wrote on the subject, drawing attention to the low rate obtaining in the Home market for this staple export prices have not improved, but rather declined. This is a mosunsatisfactory position for a trade, »hich, when first started, gave promise of becoming a mine of wealth to the colony, but instead of a consummation so devoutly Jto be wished, it has oniy proved a mine of wealth to the London middlemen. The apathy exhibited by those most deeply interested — the producers — and the fact that there are so many "wheels within wheels" in operation in the colony, would lead us to conclude that it is almost hopeless to expect that the efforts, so imperatively demanded by the present unsatisfactory state of the industry, will be made. It seems fo us that the producers and exporters will not be roused to action until they are brought in debtors on every consignment suld in London— the amounts realised being insufficient to cover the charges on the same. It has almost come to this already, and perhaps It would only prove " a blessing in disguise " to the colony if a cargo or Two were sold at

prices wrlich failed to pay expenses. The sooner such a climax is reached the better, for then we should assuredly have some concerted action taken to put the industry on a more satisfactory footing. As one of the means to this end, the opening up of fresh outlets for our frozen meat should not be lost sight of. There can be little doubt that careful investigation would show that there are many places at wh'ch a market might be established.

In a communication which appeared in the " Lyttelton Times " of yesteiday, reproduced in another part of our paper, Mr Alexander Beck, the Belgian Consul at Christchurch, suggests that direct consignments should be forwarded from New Zealand to Belgium, as several North, and South American companies have done. Mr Beck says : — " Any direct invoice of our splendid New Zealand meat will be a success. Preserved and frozen meats are free of duty in Belgium and in most of the Continental countries to avoid to increase the expenses of the European standing armies, which are supplied with these meats. Tbe retail prices of from 9d to i4d perlbin Belgium, according to the kind of meat, is increasing daily, on account of duties put upon . the importation of live stock and fresh meat. As Belgian Consul I attract the attention of the New Zealand people upon the subject." The retail prices quoted by Mr Beck— from nine to fourteen pence per pound, and these daily increasing — should offer very strong incentives to exertion in this direction on the part of producers and shippers, Mr Beck also gives us information which should prove very interestinu to those interested in the success of this industry. He says : — " Large freezing machineries and extensive storages have been lately estoblished in Antwerp, the largest Continental port, at 1 6 hours only by sea from London, and connected by direct railways all through Europe. The Company called Frigoriferes d' Anvers alone has spent over .£40,000 sterling in freezing machineries etc. . . Its stores may contain actually 100,000 of carcases, and more later on. This gives an idea of the large outlet offered to our frozen meat trade." Here is certainly a grand opening for a new market for our frozen meat — a a market quite as promising as London was after the trial shipment proved a pronounced success, a market too, in the establishment of which those mistakes, which have robbed the industry of its golden fruit can be avoided — and if those interested do not care to trouble themselves about the matter all we can say is that they vrill^ richly deserve any loss which their continued apathy may entail upon them.