CHILLED BEEF

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 62, 14 March 1934, Page 12

CHILLED BEEF

TRADE POSSIBILITIES

REQUISITE CONDITIONS

Sir Xhomas Robinson, director o£ the New Zealand Shipping Co., Ltd., and the Federal Steam Navigation Co., Ltd., and a member of the London Board o£ the National Bank of Queensland, is firmly ' of the opinion that there is a unique opportunity for Australian cattle-breeders to capture the London chilled beef market, following scientific investigations of the past year or two into the carrying of this beef in steamers. He believes, liowevec, that any estension to meatworks in Australia should provide for killing and chilling at the ship's side. He warns local breeders to be careful about quality, and says they must be prepared to spend money in improving breeds where necessary. : More than 25 years ago Sir Thomas Robinson, who directed the meat supplies for the Allied armies during the war, was a partner in Mcllwraith, McEacharn, Ltd., and was instrumental in having the steamer Strathleven chartered to take to England the first shipment of Australian frozen meat. EQUAL WITH ARGENTINA. In an interview with a Sydney "Herald" representative, Sir Thomas Robinson said that mutton and lamb could be frozen ! with impunity, but frozen beefr lost in ■ weight, condition, and quality. Within the j last 18 months research had made it pos-1 sible to extend the period in which meat could be conveyed in a chilled condition, so that now, Australia was on an equal footing with the Argentine in supplying the British market. Sir Thomas explained that under'the altered condtions it was necessary that hiudor fore-quarters of beef should be hung separately, to avoid chafing. Frozen meat, on the other hand, could be stacked. A ton of frozen beef could be loaded into '60 cubic feet of cargo space. In a chilled condition it would occupy 90 tjO 100 cubic feet. , A modification in ship construction was necessary. The decks above must stand the weight of the hanging meat, and the quarters must not touch the lower deck. • "LONDON WANTS THE BEST." "If Australian) beef is equal in quality to that of the River Plate (Argentina), then for the'first time in history Australia will succeed in getting the same price in London for her beef as the River Plate shippers, have been getting for some years," said Sir Thomas Robinson. '"Australian s-toekowners have maintained that Australian meat is as good as the Argentine and have attributed the inferior condition when thawed out to the fact that it had been frozen. "The River Plate people have always endeavoured to breed the cattle so that it will reach maturity fit for the British market at an earlier age than that at which it is customary, to kill cattle in Australia. They have never hesitated to improve their breed. My fear is that portions- of the Australian, shipments will bear improve- ' ment... London wants the . best. The need for care, in breeding is. immediate. Until perfection in breeding is reached the breeders will not get the full benefit of chilled beef prices." . V ' j Sir Thomas Robinson also said that the i River Plate exchange conditions, , which | were very difficult at present, gavel Australian breeders another unique opportunity to improve their market! .■ :f