THE MEAT RING.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 356, 29 April 1911, Page 6

THE MEAT RING.

Thp latest news we ha«e of the American meat trust is contained in some references to the octopus rival of Australasia on the meat markets by the special Smithfiekl correspondent of the "Pastoralists' Review." He writes:—'From notes picked up in various quarters I write a paragraph or two about Swifts, La Plata Company, in South America, has been reorganised as to capita! and title. I understand that it is the intention of this company to take up the frozen lamb business on a big scale. Milkfed lambs from mothers pasturing on alfalfa are expected to run New Zealand closely. I doubt this. So far, no works have been secured in Australasia by Swifts—'scores have been thrown at them.' The proposition is not attractive, enough at present, and something cheaper is wanted. The works and plant in Australia and New Zealand are not Swifts' style. The S. family and their agents are always investigating all over the world as to the supply of raw material; they do not like hot countries, as cattle are apt to run small there. The position of Buenos Aires sidered ideal. Swifts consider Argentina a well-managed country, and the plan of building railways before (to assist) the Republic's development commends itself to them. It is understood that Swifts do not want to interfere with farmers and meat shippers in Australasia in any way. The chilled beef—Argentine-—glut will settle itself, it is said. Shippers are experimenting to find out how much this country can stand. Nelsons' and the R.M.S.P. Company's vessels fitted for chilled beef carriage can carry frozen, if required, in the space. If Plate shippers find that they are sending too much chilled they will revert to frozen beef. The splitting up of ranches and the increase of population in the U.S.A. have practically stopped chilled beef export from that country. In good harvest years chilled beef will be shipped here again, but never to the quantity of the old times. 'The ranching proposition has been transferred to the Argentine, and the operations of the meat packers have accompanied the transfer.' The news about South American meat matters centres mainly in the Plate in the doings of the 'Trust.' Says the 'Review of the River Plate': —'The movements of the American Beef Trust have consisted principally in the acquirement of the Bracht Concession to .erect freezing works at La Plata with capacity for 400 cattle and 4000 sheep per day, and exemption from all taxation, etc., for a number of years, and swamping the English market with chilled beef at 3d per lb, being on some occasions under what it would cost on board at Argentine ports. The land purchased for their account, between Zaratc and Campana, has not been built upon yet, neither are there indications of the commencement of building operations.' "