THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2399, 10 December 1881, Page 4

THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

“Anglo Australian,” in the “European Mail,” writes as follows :—As too much cannot be said about the exportation of frozen meat from Australia and Now Zealand, I make no excuse for again referring to this subject. The notion seems to have been entertained on the other side that it was only necessary to land the carcases on the wharves, just as bales of wool arc landed, to ensure a speedy and profitable sale. But something more than this is required if the moat is to maintain its reputation and the business is to be made profitable. As it is not easy to see hove the ordinary commission agent, who acts in regard to wool consignments, can work the trade save through the salesman butcher, who would also require a commission, it is obvious that there is room for an organisation or company to make a speciality of this meat export business, with profit and advantage to all concerned. The chief drawback hitherto has been the want of preparation in the disposal of the meat. Indeed, it is not too much to say that all that has been dona in this respeot Las been to moke a kind of general announcement to a commission butcher in the meat market that the meat might bo expected to arrive on a certain day. He in his turn has then made the feet known

to the trade, who very naturally determine to make the most they can out of the consignment. If this cannot be done by fair means, then they proceed to Boycotting, and the public will be told that the meat is both unpalatable and unwholesome. In this way the demand becomes slack, and then the “ ring ” stops in, and, buying at its own price, retails the meat as English at lOd to Is per pound. No doubt the “ring” will repudiate the soft impeachment, but it is clear that some such tactics were pursued in regard to the consignments by the Ouzco and tbe Orient steamers, and that, as they offer such an easy means of making profit out of the enterprise of others, they will again bo resorted to when opportunity offers. _ The bulk of the butchers, like the farmers in (ho matter of cereals, regard the importation of fresh or tinned moats as an enterprise levelled against their profits, and, as they are not a class likely to yield their monopoly without a struggle, those engaged in the exportation of meat must expect them to receive their consignments in a retaliatory spirit. The thing to do, therefore, is to start some organisation for the purpose of effectually counteracting the ©Derations of the butchers. What form this organisation should take it is not for me to say, but I should think there are a sufficient number of practical men in London interested in the success of the Australian and New Zealand trade who, it they went about the matter in earnest, might "be able to hit upon some plan with the view to place the meat trade upon a sound basis. Several months ago I hinted at cold storage as being advisable, and subsequent experience has confirmed me in my views. The existing plan, I believe, is for the butchers to carry off the meat in its frozen state, and thus it is often sold before it is half thawed. The result is that the consumer becomes disgusted with his purchase, and it is clear that if this system is continued a prejudice which it will be difficult to overcome will set in, and do much damage to a promising industry. To some extent this prejudice may be said to already exist, and, as it is desirable that it should not be allowed to extend, perhaps colonial exporters will see the importance of instructing their consignees to discover whether any cold stores in close proximity to the Thames are available for the storage of meat; and, it so, lot them stipulate that the meat bo so stored, thawed, wiped down, and sold at a fair market value to all comers. In this way the meat could be kept pure, and not be sold at a sacrifice. I have seen Australian meat, which has been kept in cold store, after it has been thawed and wiped down, that has looked as inviting and as fresh as if it had only just left the butcher’s shambles. There is reason, therefore, to believe that if attention was paid to such little details as I have hinted at, the importation of meat would become a profitable and paying industry.