AUSTRALIAN MEAT QUESTION.

Southland Times, Issue 1128, 22 March 1869, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN MEAT QUESTION.

» On Tuesday, Dec. 29, an interesting meeting was held, under the presidency of the Hon. G. F. Verdon, C.8., AgentGeneral for Victoria, at Norton Folgate, for the purpose of introducing to notice the steps which have been taken to give the English public the benefits to be derived from a supply of animal food from our Australian colonies. A great many gentlemen connected with the colonies were present, and among others Mr V. S. Dutton, the Agent -General for South Australia, Mr W. E. Mayne, Agent-General for New South Wales, as well as many of the metropolitan medical officers of health. The chairman pointed out that the overcoming of the difficulties in the way of obtaining a constant supply of meat from Australia was important in two ways ; in tha first place, a supply of good meat would be given to this country at a considerably less cost than was now given for meat ; and in the next place, the vast supplies of mutton and beef now melted down in Australia for fat would then be utilised to the profit alike of the mother country and the colonies. He went on to describe the many difficulties which had hitherto existed to prevent supplies of the meat reaching this country from Australia, and he stated that the colonists were now so alive to the necessity of finding a market for" their pleutiful stock that the most energetic measures had been adopted to furnish supplies to Europe. The company present were invited to partake of various dishes, and to inspect the meat in its raw and manufactured state, the latter condition referring to sausages and potted meats. It is fair to say that the meat presented to the inspection of the visitors was excellent, and some boiled preserved beef and pie ot preserved mutton were all that could be desired, but it was evident that in one or two dishes of mutton the meat had not received the attention it requires before cooking. The meats are packed in large iron cases holding about 2£ tons. Sheep are packed whole, without bone, and cured ; and when the iron case is filled with the meat, boiling fat is run into the case, which is then hermetically " sealed" for exportation. The manner of exporting the beef is the same; and it comes to this country in good condition. That exhibited was pronounced to be very fine meat indeed, and though it is without bone it is sold at a less price than meat in the London market is sold, even though the latter is weighed to the purchaser with the bones which carry the meat to market. Mr Morris, a gentle, man connected with Australia, stated that experiments were being madejjtt, , uraer to Drmg froaeu fresh meat from Australia to Europe, and it was believed success would attend the effort. Mr Tallerman, on behalf of the shippers of the meat, stated that stores had been opened for the retail sale of the meat in Norton Folgate ; and, in order to clear away difficulties, receipts for preparing and cooking the food were given to the purchasers. He also mentioned that the importation of beef and mutton had risen very considerably in the course of the year, and such were the differences in price that potted meats could be supplied at one-eighth the cost charged in London. The dressing of the meat was carried out by Captain Warren's apparatus. — ( Home News,' Jan. 1.