Frozen Meat Conference

Opunake Times, Volume III, Issue 124, 10 September 1895, Page 3

Frozen Meat Conference

The conference of bodies interested in the frozen meat trade was op-ncd on Thursday morning at Wellington. Between 40 and 50 delegates were present, representing all parts of the colony. Mr J. D. Ritchie, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, in opening the proceedings, said the conference had been called by the Government at tbe request of a large number of Agricultural and Pastoral Societies to consider, among other matters schemes to be submitted by Messrs D. J. Nathan (Wellington) and M. C. Orbell (Geraldine) for the improvement of the frozen meat industry.

Mr Charles Pharazyn was elected to preside over the conference. He said that having just arrived from England it was clear to him that New Zealand had a difficulty to face in putting the trade on a sound footing, and in doing so whatever schemes w-re to be accepted must be based on sound business lines. There was a market for our meat, but it mutt be gcod to meet with success. Mr D. J. Nathan submitted his scheme and Mr Orbel seconded it.

Mr Begg, Duuedin, moved an amendment to the resolution that to establish a monopoly in frozen meat the Conference is undesirable, but that a uniform system of grading be adopted and in order to regulate supplies and prevent a glut in the market, it would be advantageous if provision were made for cool storage in the colony. Mr R. McKenzie seconded the amendment.

Mr Buddo, M.H.R. (Canterbury), said there was a groat objection to the Government interference, and to the proposal to impose a general tax per head on sheep throughout the colony to achieve the object of the scheme proposed. Mr Nelson, (flawke's Bay) said Mr Nathan's scheme was utterly nuworkable. In his opinion the whole difficulty was owing to want of combination on this side amongst freezing companies. He pointed out how the Home market was upset by spasmodic shipments, which properly regulated, the bulk of the difficulty would be removed.

The Chairman said his enquiries in England showed that a very large quantity of indifferent meat was sent Home. The standard in Smithfield was so high that what might be considered here a very good sheep was there a very indifferent one. Mr Booth (Wairarapa) dwelt on the necessity of regular shipments and increased storage accomodation. Sir John Hall (Canterbury), strongly opposed Mr Nathan's scheme. Messrs Lichfield and Chaytor (Marlborough), Dalrymple (Rangitikei), Kilbride (Auckland), and Bidwell, Milward, and Brady (Wellington) all spoke against Mr Nathan's scheme. Mr Nathan having replied, he asked leave to withdraw his scheme, the sense of the meeting being against it.

Leave was unanimously granted. Hearty votes of thanks were accorded Messrs Nathan and Orbell for the trouble they had taken in the matter.

Resolutions submitted by Mr Begg were then put before the meeting. The first resolution, " That in the opinion of this Conference any attempt to establish a monopoly of the frozen meat industry of the colony would be both undesirable and impracticable," was carried on the voices without discussion.

The second resolution, " That in order to give confidence to buyers and to secure as far as possible uniformity in quality of the meat exported, it is desirable that freezing companies in the colony should agree to a uniform system of grading." At Friday's meeting of the Conference, further discussion followed on the second clause in Begg's series of resolutions affirming the desirability of a uniform system of grading ; it was carried on the voices. A third clause to the effect that the storage accomodation in the colony should be increased in order to regulate supplies, was carried without discussion.

Mr Orbell's proposals were then considered. The first resolution, for the appointment of a permanent committee to watch the interests of the trade, was agreed to, as also was the second clause, urging the appointment of inspectors in slaughterhouses to examine sheep before they were killed. A third proposal, that the Government should assist in the erection of cool stores at various ports, was lost by a very large majority. Mr Orbell moved and Mr Phillips seconded, That with a view to concentration of trade in Great Britain, it is desirable that the distribution of our meat should be placed within hands of as few agents as possible, and this conference strongly recommend freezing companies and others interested to give effect to the resolution as far as practicable. This was agreed to. It was decided to approach the Government, and urge that the month of January be substituted for present date in making up sheep returns.