EXTENDING THE MEAT TRADE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1776, 14 June 1913, Page 18

EXTENDING THE MEAT TRADE.

NO SUCCESS IN FRANCE. ARGENTINE COMPETITION TOO KEEN. Some two years ago the producere of frozen meat in New Zealand had great, hopes of finding new markets on the Continent of .Europe for mutton and lamb. France, in particular, Boemed inclined to consider favourably tko advisability of sweeping away the high protective tariffs, and to modify the rigid- laws governing the inspection of meat -that prevails m that country. Prior to 1911 the French populace were quite ignorant of the high quality of frozen moat, and for tho greater part were not conversant with the process employed in its preservation. About that time it had been decided to hold a great exhibition at Koubais. tht .French wool-marketing centre, and tho Dominion Government lost no time in securing space for the purpose of bringing our produce before the notice of Continental consumers. Authority was given for trie erection of a Now Zealand pavilion, where an excellent di3play-in a specially-prepared chamber— was mado nt frozen lamb, niutton, beef, rabbits, etc. Tho display of those frozen products attracted wide attention. This was the first occasion on which frozen meat bad beon shown to the gcnoral public on the Continent in snch a mannor as to demonstrate the. process by which it is handled and marketed. ■ • At the time of the demonstration an increase in 'the retail price .of meat in France, together with a demand for a reduction in the cost ot living by all sections of consumers, had attracted the attention of the authorities in Paris,, and a reduction of duty on frozen'meat was urged as a possible means of cheapening supplies. A special committee of inquiry was set up to review the wholo position. -This inquiry resulted in a recommendation in favour of fostering tho meat export ■ trade of French colonies for preference, but owing to tho very favourable reports received from the various public bodies among whom the New Zealand meat was distributed at the close of the exhibition, it was decided to give permission for tho entry of our produce into France, provided certain of the internal organs, such as the heart, lungs, etc., were left intact for inspection by the authorities. No remissions were made in the duty, but it was generally believed by many that colonial meat only required a proper introduction to the consuming public to create a successful agitation for the removal of marketing handicaps at the ports of en-

Among the influential business firms in tho French capital which saw good prospects ahead of New Zealand meat on the Continent was that controlled by M. Pierre Flipo, which instructed its colonial representative, 51. Lucien Ncpenairn, tc follow the matter up during his Visits 60 tho local wool sales last season. At the beginning of-tho present year M. Mponniro was very optimistic regarding the future. During his stay heTe he made arrangements with several freezing companies for a supply of mutton and lamb, slaughtered in conformity with the requirements of tho French authorities, for a trial shipment. By this means it was hoped to break down the legislative barriers and prejudices of tho people. 1110 absence of any direct line of shipping with French ports was looked upon as a serious obstacle, but not an insurmountable one. ' , It wonld appear from tlio following communication just received from St. Nopenairo that fresh difficulties havo been encountered that bad not presented themselves six months ago. Writing from Tourcoing. where his firm has its Headquarters; If. Nopenairo saysi I i went to Le Havre last week in connecI tion with the frozen meat business, but nm sorrv to say that tho idea of introducing New Zealand frozen meat into France must bo abandoned." The reasons given nro summed up'as follow:— (1) On account of cheaper labour, Argentina can land meat much cheaper than New Zealand. (2) Tho bigher qunlitv of New Zealand meat, compared with that of Argentina, makes it more costly, thereforo the cheaper article gains preference. _ (3) Argentina has a direct line of steamers trading with Bordeaux and Le Havre. (These are tho only towns in Franco that are provided with cool chambers for produce.) New Zealand has no steamers equipped with refrigerating machinery that touch at French ports, neither Is there a direct line from London to Lo Havre. ' (i) The French Government will never reduce Customs duties on foreign meat, as a French company has- entered into tlio meat-freezing business in Senegal—a French colony on tho West Coast of Africa, and i 3 now installing the necessary machinery. Meat.from French colonies will be admitted into France duty free. ' (5) To be able to compete successfully against Argentina on the Continent. New Zealand meat would have to be available nt from 2d. to 2!d. per lb., maximum price, pins freight, duty, and other charges. M. Nopenoire is at present prosecuting inquiries regarding Hie possibilities of markets for frozen meat in Belgium and tho European countries. Ho is still hopeful of securing some measure nf success, and hopes to have some definite information to lay before colonial producers when he icturiis towards the end of the present year.