The Telephone. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, JANUARY 30, 1884. THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 53, 30 January 1884, Page 2

The Telephone. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, JANUARY 30, 1884. THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

Various ideas and suggestions respecting the details of the Frozen Meat Trade have appeared in the New Zealand papers, some of which are worthy of notice, but the newest and most effective are the report and suggestions of Mr. Charles PHABAZYNto the -Neto Zealand Times, and it would appear that with an Oamaru gentleman originated a scheme that should commend itself to the colonial sheep-owners and shippers of mutton. Mr. Phab'ZYN reports that Mr. John Retd, of Ellerslie (near Oamaru), who is now in London, has entered into the following arrangements :—“ Large steamers to be built by owners on their own account, and fitted with three of Bell Coleman’s machines, under contract with Mr. Reid for six consecutive trips from Oamaru at intervals of six months, the first load to be shipped in August next, 25,000 sheep to be taken each time, and to be frozen on board the steamer, lying thirty-five days for this purpose, and fifteen days for discharging without extra cost. Every detail has been carefully attended to, and splendid arrangements made for selling the meat. On arrival, it will be

distributed all over England and Scotland by a firm largely engaged in the meat trade, and who have numerous depots. There is no reason to doubt their ability to dispose of the 25,000 satisfactorily with the ladaysallowed.” By this means “a saving of at least Id. per lb., or 6s. per sheep of 721bs. weight, will be effected. The principal saving effected is the cost of freezing on shore ; but, in addition to this, there is the difference in rate of freight, in consequence of employing a much less expensive vessel, and giving her a full cargo, There is also a very material saving on this side, bj; treating the iteamer as the store f®/ fifteen days, instead of incurring the cost of double handling, and rent of cold stores. It is easy to see that in this way the saving of Id per lb. may be shown, and yet such a rate of freight be paid as to be very profit.

able to the steamer, costing probably about £40,000, and worked at small expense. She will not be built for high speed, but will probably accomplish the voyage in a little over fifty days. The owners are so satisfied with their contract that I understand they are quite ready to build a second vessel on the same terms, which is an answer to those who will of course declare, in the interest of competing companies, that it will be done at a loss.” The experiment may be considered a dangerous one ; but each vessel

is to be fitted with three machines, so that there is little probability of the freezing part of the arrangements proving a failure. The “ chambers will be separated so that, though in one vessel, the shipments are really divided into three, with the great advantage that in case of an accident to one machine, the other two can do

the work.” In urging the adoption of the scheme, Mr Ph ar az yn expresses his willingness to give all assistance in his- power to any company which may decide on making arrangements for a special steamer to Wellington. He then says that “ this may be done either by one of the existing companies, or by a new one formed for that purpose. In either case but little called-up capital will be required; all that is necessary is a sufficient share-list, to form a good security on uncalled capital for the charter. The meat can be insured and drawn against in the same way as

wool. The Vessel can be chartered to load at any port or ports required.” The movement introduced by Mr. Reid can, it appears, be extended considerably, and there is no rea. son why Poverty Bay should not be included in the list of ports taking action in this matter. The main object is, of course, to keep down the expenses of transit to a minimum, so as to leave a profit on even a low quotation ; but there are other matters in connection with this question which require alteration, the principal of which is the formation of a company for the purpose of establishing in London and all provincial centres shops for the sale of colonial mutton retail. Severtd shipments of mutton have sold at a low rate, which is attributable to the powerful "ring” formed in the metropolis to prejudice the people against the Colonial article. The failure of the Mataura's cargo assisted the schemers considerably in their movements, and but little difficulty was, it appears, experienced by the clique in carrying out their unjust designs. That the people at Home are willing to accept a Colonial supply of mutton was evinced at the Lord Mayor’s Show, when the novelty of a large waggon, bearing New Zealand sheep carcases, formed a striking feature in the procession and drew forth unbounded applause, The only thing, therefore, required is that the good quality of the meat should be made known to the public, and this can be done in do better way than by the establishment in the principal towns of Britain of well-fitted-up shops for retailing New Zealand mutton. Of course, there are certain prejudices of old country people to overcome,— they, for the most part, are firm in their convictions that Southdowns and Leicesters are not to be beaten, and that the flesh of those sheep, fed in English pastures, is far superior to any mutton flint can be produced “ abroad.” The feeling is quite natural; but it is to be overcome by the adoption of the course now suggested, as even a slightly-reduced price should attract the working classes to the article of food, and it would gradually creep into favor. Mr. Reid has, it appears, set the example in this respect by entering into negotiations with “ a firm largely engaged in the American meat trade, who have numerous depots,” and it should be the aim of other capitalists in this Colony to unite with him in carrying out a movement which, if properly conducted, cannot but prove beneficial to the consumer, as well as to the producer, and open up an extensive trade with the Mother Country.