Frozen Meat Trade.

Feilding Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 237, 9 April 1897, Page 2

Frozen Meat Trade.

vi (Per Press Association.) Auckland, April B.$J Mr S. D. Hanna, manager of the Auckland Freezing Works, in an interview with a Herald representative, stated that unless an improvement was soon effected in the freezing operations, so far as meat is concerned, they will have to cease, because tbe companies cannot go on shipping at a loss such as at present, The great cause of depression was Australia, and Argentine producing more and more yearly, and at the same time approaching our quality. The want of regulation of the supply in London caused a glut, and prices went down. Complaints were made as to damaged meat caused through the meat not being kept at a sufficiently low temperature in the hold of the steamer, which caused tbe meat to blanch and lose its colour before reaching London. It was not altogether due to the charcoal insulation, but he was satisfied tbat at present there was nothing equal to pumice for the purpose, both on shore and on board the steamer. This year, said Mr Hanna, they had frozen 12,000 sheep and lamhs, and they did not think they would freeze any more at present. To get over the low prices shippers must combine and regulate the supply in London. It took very little to lower prices through the Australian and Argentine competition. The temperature should not be allowed to rise lOdeg above zero. Fluctuating below this would not bleach the meat so much as it would if the temperature were allowed to fluctuate between 10 and 20 degrpes, and this temperature should be insisted upon by the insurance companies. None but first class refrigerating engineers should be engaged.