THE FROZEN MEAT QUESTION.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2232, 23 April 1881, Page 4

THE FROZEN MEAT QUESTION.

[I'BOH THH "WHHBXY FBBBa."] Xhe oomplete auccess attendant on the recent trial shipments of frozen meat from the colonies to England are so fraught with import to the yeomea, runholders, and all feeders and breeders of stock in the Southern Hemisphere, that we ask their earnest attention to the queation. For many years paßt the great want of the Australian Colonies has been a market for its surplus stock, and with this end in view, process after process has been tried, and experiment has succeeded experiment, with a view of giving this question a practical solution; but, till recently, all the various methods have, for one reason or another, failed to fully and [satisfactorily accomplish the object deaired. But the successful issue of the experiments made by the Frotos and the Orient are ao pronounced and lifted out of the sphere of uncertainty that we desire to bring the great question involved thereby prominently before those most interested in our midst, feeling sure that the reault will be a fresh impetus in tfae direction of profitable breeding and foedlag of ilocka and herds by many of the yeomen of Canterbury. Already, in tho South, ataps have been taken to form a company whoso business will be to foster and jQoourago breeding and feeding on a large a-jale of cuttle, sheep, and pigs, for export

to the old world in the frozen chambers of the Teasels of the steam boats of the Orient line, or those of any other company that may bo available. Wo ask is Canterbury to stand idly by and do nothing in this matter, so all important in its practical effects on the wealth of the province? Will there be no company formed to make Lyttelton or Timaru, or both, its depots for the collecting together of the freights of food for Europe it ia in our power to send from those shores. I'hei-o ia little reason to fear but a market will bo found there, seeing that recent advices from Home tell of the enlargement of the area of infected cattle districts, and France has publish a decree prohibiting the importation of certain kinds of animal food from the United States, which, although we regret, means a scarcity of supplies that must be mado up from other sources, and an open door for the meat supplies of this end of the earth. Besides, the establishment of such a company meanß profitable investment of the monies of capitalists, and every facility for those whose more immediate duty it is to rear and fit the necessary animals for human consumption, besides attracting a large amount of capital and men ef enlarged experience in the management and rearing of cattle, &3., to Canterbury. The success of the trial shipment by the Protos was satisfactory, but that by tho Orient was particularly so, comprising as it did beef and mutton, which are the staple food of tho million, and also vegetables, Xtf* asparagus, artichokes, and tomatoes, all described as marvels of freshness. Pineapples from Queensland, oranges from Sydney, and also almonds and raising, justify the prediction that Australasia is on the eve of a gigantic business in the same direction. We may not havethe semi-tropical fruits of our neighbors, but we are able to place a very largo quantity of animal food on the European market as can be excelled by none. But if we are to share in this sew source of profit we must be up and doing. We aro glad to note that recently the cheese farmers of the Peninsula sent a trial shipment of their produce to London by the Orari, in soarch of a better market than obtains in our midst, and we heartily hopo the venture will be a successful one, reaping tho reward it deserves. We quote it to show that theirs is an experiment which might result in failure ; but this frozen food question is an assured success. There is every guarantee that tho various consignments wil reach their destination in first-class order, so that all apprehension on that score is groundlean, and failure impossible. We therefore ask the yeomen of Canterbury to foster and encourage this auxiliary to wealth and increased trade. Hitherto, our exports have been, and still are, few. Wool and grain are our staples. We are invited to add meat to the list, and, in doing so, we can rest assured that we are taking the most important step passible to increase our wealth and prosperity. ______^_______