THE BEEF TRADE.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 April 1925, Page 1

THE BEEF TRADE.

AUSTRALIAN ANI) N. 7.. CABLE ASSOCIATION LONDON, April 1. Air Crainsie, giving evidence before the Food Commission, said that for three years the meat industry in Australia was unprofitable. To-day’s prices while they might justify the industry carrying on, and might enable the quality to he improved, would not justifv the stocking of the unoccupied areas of North Australia. If beef prices were to continue unprofitable, it was possible that Australia’s production would diminish, and, with her increasing population, the time might not he far distant when Australia would he known no longer as an exporter of beef. On the contrary, if Australian cattle raisers could stock the unoccupied areas, and secure the necessary railway and port facilities there was no reason why it should not carry a further seven or ten million head of cattle. Air Cramsie refuted the statement of previous witnesses that everything in connection with the Australian beef pronounced it a most inferior article. He contended that Australia produced first quality heel', which was proved by Die fact Hint the Australians, who were large beef eaters, claimed to have a frame, a constitution and a working energy comparing favourably with any people in tho world. Referring to the disparity between Die wholesale and the retail beef prices M r Cramsie said he had conic to the coin elusion Diai the multiplicity of the retail shoos and Die pulic’s demand foilin' more popular cuts, and their nogierl, of the less popular, hut equally nourishing portions, were lur.gclt responsible. Therefore, Air Cramsie ur&d that encouragement should he given to extending the hoof industry in the Commonwealth.

Do pointed out that Australia, for over forty years, had endeavoured to turn the whole of her supplies towards Britain, and she did not attempt in any way to combine to raise Die price against the Hritish consuming public. lie reiterated the view that South America has almost reached the limit of her production. (Ie believed that the pioneering of the unoccupied area of North Australia would provide an increased supply of beef, which would he needed to meet Die world’s future requirements. Replying to Mrs Snowden, AL Cramsie said that the Australian Meat Council was quite prepared to meet any representative organisation of the consumers to discuss the stabilisation of prices. Sir A. Go (Ides complimented tnc witness.