CHARGES ANSWERED

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 53, 26 November 1920, Page 7

CHARGES ANSWERED

CONDITION OF EXPORTED MEAT SOME INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATIONS Allegations that frozen meat was being shipped from New Zealand in bad condition were made late in the recent session of Parliament by Mr. H. E. Holland (Buller), who gave notice of the following question addressed to the Minister of Agriculture: "(1) Whether he will authorise an inspector to make an examination of the meat cargo of tho s.s. Waimana on her arrival at Loudon? (2) Whether lie will cause an inspection to bo made of the cargo of the s.s. Wiltshire, now in port at Wellington? (3) Whether he will appoint a commission U) hold an inquiry into the conditions surrounding the slaughtering, freezing, canning, local distribution, and export of New Zealand meat?"

The Minister (Mr. Nosworthy) has replied as follows:—"The honourable member's allegation regarding the WaimnJia's meat cargo has been cabled to the High Commissioner with a request thail he will have the meat inspected on arrival by a competent inspector. It should be stated that this vessel's meat cargo, when being handled for shipment! was found in good condition, clean bills •of lading being granted throughout. "As regards the Wiltshire's meat cargo, the following report from the Government inspector in Wellington is quoted: 'I have to report that the loading of the Wellington district meat on the above ship commenced on Wednesday night at 7 p.m., after the weather had cleared. About one thousand carcasses (whole carcasses):of mutton were put on board. The loading was continued on Thursday. I was several times at this ship, and examined the mutton, going in. It .was all in good order, well frozen, and the bags clean. Both the chief engineer and the chief electrician informed me that ilhey were well satisfied. Mr. Collins, district superintendent, was with me .on the last inspection, and saw the engineer and electrician." "There is no intention of appointing such a commission as suggested. The ineati is slaughtered, dressed, and handled under exceedingly good conditions; the system of inspection in meat export, slaughterhouses .and abattoirs is thorough, and certainly as rigid as that of any''other country, more so than most', and every precaution is taken to safeguard the health of consumers, whether of fresh, frozen,-.or preserved meats. Two investigations have been made here within the last 'six months, the first by an inspecting officer from the Smithfield Market, into the whole of inspection and of handling of meat, and the second by two gentlemen appointed_ by the Imperial Government, who inquired (particularly into the conditions under which the "meat was stored in the freezinc chambers. The reports in each case have been made to' London, but may be expected to reach.New Zealand shorily. The suggestions underlying the question conveys a grave and altogether unwarranted aspersion upon the integrity and efficiency of the Government officers responsible for the duty of meat inspection."