THE LONDON DOCKS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1620, 11 December 1912, Page 10

THE LONDON DOCKS.

VISITED BY THE HIGH COMMISSIONER. Soon after' his arrival in London, the new High Commissioner (the Hon. T. Mackenzie), in company with Mr. W. D. Lysnar, ono of tho executive of the New Zealand Producers' Association, and representatives of the Port of London Authority, inspected the facilities for handling and storing Now Zealand produce. The party first examined the means of communication between Smithfield and the South West India Dock and the Allwrt and Victoria Docks. They then went to the South West India Dock, and Mr. Mackenzie went through all the stores. At the Albert and Victoria Docks subsequently they had an opportunity of seeing the process of handling frozen meat and general cargo, which was being discharged from the Kaikoura. The meat was opened out in very good condition, and great care was taken in passing it out of the ship's hold over tho side and on to the travelling tables. It was at the end of this latter stage that tho handling began to be unsatisfactory. "There was no protection from the weather," said Mr. Mackenzie, "and although tho meat was handled carefully enough by the men, one 'could see that there was a risk of deterioration from the exposure. At some of the stores wo ascended to the upper rooms, and selected carcasses which were in thoroughly sound condition and free from abrasions; Thes9 were afterwards sent. down tho chutes, and I am sorry to' say the result was unsatisfactory. Considerable injury was done to the carcasses in going down the chutes." Asked what particular store he noticed this most markedly in, Mr. Mackenzie said he alluded particularly to a store with which he had a good deal to do when he.was in .England fourteen years ago. "And I must say," he added, "that conditions have not improved during all thes9 years, so far as tho treatment over the chutes is concerned." Mr. Mackenzie lias come to tho conclusion that the South West India Dock is undoubtedly the handiest for the discharge of meat that lias to go to Sniithfitld market. It possesses many advantages, in his opinion, over those lower down the river. "I hope to go_ into this matter a little later," ho says. "I am aware, of course, that the Port Authorities have a.scheme for improving tho conditions at the docks lower down the river. It is imperative that something should be done at once." Tho working of general cargo and the barging of meat up the river were also inquired into, and at the Argentine stores the new High Commissioner saw the system followed by the South Americans in discharging their cargoes of beef. ; He considers a modification of this latter method should bo instituted in connection with the handling of New Zealand mutton.