BONED BEEF.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2156, 3 April 1908, Page 4

BONED BEEF.

THREATENED STOPPAGE OF EXPORT.

A deputation from the Auckland. Farmers’ Freezing Company, consisting of Mr Barugli, chairman of directors, Captain AVorsp, director,and Air Stringer, secretary of the Auckland Farmers’ Freezing Company, waited upon Sir Joseph Ward last Saturday on tlio subject of the exnort of boned beef. Mr. Barugli stated that the company had had a communication from Air Gilbert Anderson, stating that the entry'of'-bon-ed beef from New Zealand into England was most likely to be stopped. There had been a report by Dr. Buchanan to the Imperial authorities, in which he described the boned beef as.scrap meat. The meat that went from America and the continent was not like ours, it . was all scraps and odds and ends. Our boned beef was very different, a special class of animal being sent. This class, which included cows and bulls, was quite good enough to bo sent home lor sausages and polonies, for which purpose it was used. It was absolutely healthy, and was inspected before shipment. From 'Dr Buchanan’s report it appeared that tlio British Government was not • alive to the good system of inspection adopted in New Zealand, and ho spoke very slightingly of tlio inspection. Tlio deputation thought that the Government should try and impress on tlio Homo Government the value of the New Zealand methods of inspection. Tlio head ' inspectors were all homo trained college men, and the speaker thought that it would bo good to get the British Government to recognise them so that anything inspected here should go in without further examination. Inspection could be done better here than in the Old Country, and lie considered- that co-operation could bo effected if tlio New Zealand Government undertook to have none but Home trained men. It was impossible to send this beef Home in carcase form, owing to the higher freight, the box form taking it at tlio third less. The export of boned beef tins year was two-thirds of tlio total export, the ordinary export having fallen off owing to the drought. Sir Joseph AVard recognised tlio importance of tho matter, and anything that could be dono to help tho oxport of boned beef would bo done. The High Commissioner -and his staff were alert and alive to tho whole business. Tho Government had sent two officers Home to help Mr Reeves to ascertain what difficulties tlicro were in tho importation of Now Zealand produce into Britain. Tlio Board of Trado was aware of tho inspection being dono liere; the High Commissioner had impressed them with that, particularly at the time of tho Chicago exposures. The Board of Trado was familiar with our methods, and the class of officers appointed. But they could not bo expected to accept inspection made here; wo would not do it ourselves. All representations possible on the subject would he made to' the British Government through tlio High Commissioner, to whom lie would send a special communication. Mr Barugli asked whether the Preineir could not. go further, and ask the British Government to recognise the New Zealand inspection as filial as far as disease was concerned. Sir Jospeh said that tho matter must lie looked at from a commonsense point of view. The Board of Trade would not put its own officers aside for the New Zealand officers. He pointed out that the Government had an organisation in London for inspecting our produce on arrival, and reporting if and when anything was wrong.