FROZEN MEAT INDUSTRY

Hokitika Guardian, 10 February 1930, Page 8

FROZEN MEAT INDUSTRY

LON DON CELEBRATION

lAIN I/ON, February 7. Sitting at wattle-docked tables at the Savoy Hotel, London, a distinguished assemblage, under the chairmanship of Lord Kylsant (shipping magnate), including Sir G. Ityrie (Australian High Commissioner), Air Thomas Trumble (Australian Departmental head), the Agents-General of Australia, Lord Stanley, Mr Alderley, Mr r J'. AL Wilford, and Mr Samuel Vesty, celebrated the jubilee ol the foundation of the frozen meat industry, dating from the year 1880, when the steamer “Strath Leven,” under the auspices of the Melhvraith, MeEachern Limited shipping line, conveyed thirty four tons of beef, lamb and mutton from Sydney to England. The prime founder of the. frozen meat export was Mr T. S. Mort, who established the world’s first freezing works at Darling Harlxmr, Sydney, in 1861. Lord Kylesant proposed the toast “To the Pioneers of Refrigeration.” Hje referred to tliie Brazilian Ambassador, Senor Paul Do Olivera, Hon. Air Fenton (Australian Minister of Customs), Sir G. Ityrie, and Mr T. AL AVilford, and coupled their names with the toast. Senor Olivera, in responding, congratulated Australia and New Zealand on their example, which, he said, had filled South Amorica with admiration. Hon. Mr Fenton, amid cheers, acknowledged Senor Olivera’,s compliment, and paid a tribute to the services of Air Mort, who, unfortunately, had not lived to see the triumph which had been his. He had, apparently, died of a broken heart, because one of his attempts to export frozen meat had failed. Hon. Air Fenton reviewed the increase in the Australian produce exports. He recalled the names of Mr E. G. Nicholls and Mr Andrew Alellwraith. who, through illness precluding his presence, was represented by his son, Mi’ Harold Ate--11 wraith. “We are going to make good old Australia bloom, and are going to make Argentina and Brazil run for it!” declared Mr Fenton. As ho sat down, he shook hands with Senor iOlivcra. Alt- T .At .AYilfonl, who was loudly, cheered, traced the history of New Zealand’s frozen meat trade, and pointed out that she supplied over half of Britain’s lambs and mutton. He prophesied an early success for recent experiments in instantaneous freezing. He cited instances of the Dominions’s recent land development. Sir G. Ityrie disclosed that one of the late Mr Mbit's relatives was his schoolfellow, and recalled that Australian working men had erected a monument to Air Afort, owing to his broad humanitarianism. He complimented Mr AL T. Brown, Chief Engineer of the “Strath Leven,” who was present, and also i suggested that Lord Kylsant, who is a giant in stature, mi'dit have a go at Camera. He aroused roars of laughter with two characteristic stories, reducing Lord Kylsant to utter helplessness. The chairman responded, j Mr Brown also spoke. , Air Joseph Raymond related a stcry of the “Strath. Leven.” He l

said that twos sons had survived the late Mr One was a clergyman in Surrjd another was Air Mncauley AToio was present that night.