The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) WEDNESDAY. OCTOBER 3rd, 1923 THE MEAT TRADE.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 October 1923, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) WEDNESDAY. OCTOBER 3rd, 1923 THE MEAT TRADE.

iDxt.nt developments by which large British meat interests have been combined, and have secured the agencies of large quantities of South American meat for distribution in England, are causing grave concern to people connected wild the meat industry in Attsrnrlia. ft is 'cared that the result of operation.-, of the combine may bo to depress the c.i.f. quotations of moat in England, thus seriously affecting tli c meat industry in the. Antipodes. Accordingrio information received by Australian meat interests, a huge amalgamation scheme tia.i been launched in England by tli t . Union -Cold Storage (. ompaiiy. Ltd., wliicli pro])oscs to raise its capital to 1*8.780,090 to finance an agreement entered into to acquire as from .Inly 1 last the whole of the ordinary shares in certain companies of which Lord Yes toy. Sir Edmund Yes toy, Mr W. G. Bundloy. amt the Hon. Samuel Vcstey are directois. The purchase, involving about £4,000.000. is concerned with the shales of the fallowing companies:- British ami Argentine Heat. Company (1923), Ltd; Eastman’s Ltd. (except 81 shares out ot a total of 020,3201; proprietors <0 Fletcher's Ltd. (meat importers); Argenla Meat Company, Ltd.. British Beef Company, Ltd.; Lonsdale and Thompson, Ltd.; John l.ayton and Co., Ltd. ; and Donald Cook and Sons. Ltd. Conk’s farm eggs). In a statement which it issued, the company claims that it will constitute tiy hit- the largest and most complete organisation of its kind in the world. With the completion of the deal it will have 51 cold stores and freezing works in England and abroad, and one ol the largest fleets of refrigerated steamers in the world, as well as other transport facilities. The licet is that of the Blue Star line, comprising 21 steamers. It will have control of rUiut 240!) retail shops, depots, and market stalls in England, together with factories and wholesale selling establishments. ‘'Having thus provided for the collection, preparation, carriage, and storage ol perishable foods.” stated the company, ‘‘it is now intended to complete the organisation by arranging for the distribution (both wholesale and retail) of the products of the company in the best, and most .economical manner.” From an Australian standpoint, however, says a Sydney paper, a more serious development has followed the big merger. Since the union issue was made, news has been forthcoming of a remarkable coup made by Messrs Yestoy in the South American section ot their business. Recently it was reported that they had disposed of their Las Palmas works in Argentine to the newly-formed English and Dutch Meat Company, Ltd. Tt is now stated, however, that the hitter company has joined the Messrs Vcstcys in practically entering into partnership with the Government of the province of Buenos Aires by selling to that Government, their ‘‘Anglo” chilling works, and agreeing to undertake the marketing in England of the meat from the works on behalf of the Buenos Aires Government. The move is regarded by meat interests as the most interesting which British ojieralors in South America have sidered that Messrs Vcstcys have taken a strong position against the. American hoof trust- in the role which they have assumed in co-operation with the Bpoiios Aires Government. It is regarded by New South Wales meat interests that the interests of the Union fold Storage Company 1 in Great Britain, "ill Tend to reduce the c.i.f. quotation of beef, and tluis result- in greater profits being gained in handling and marketing the meat in England, ami in tliis event the Australian meat industry would suffer tremendously. ‘‘lll facr," said one man. intimately associated with the meat industry, “Australian. producers would have to try and get their way in between the American beef trust and the new combine in England.”