MEAT FOR AMERICA

Southland Times, Issue 18819, 12 May 1920, Page 5

MEAT FOR AMERICA

NEW ZEALAND SHIPMENTS. THREE CARGOES GONE. (Special to the Times.) CHRISTCHURCH, May 11. Although a cabled announcement has just been made relative to the sale to America of a large quantity of New Zealand lanmb and mutton, three vessels have already left the dominion direct for New York or Boston with quantities of lamb. These are the Northumberland, with 27,000 carcases; the Armagh, with 252,000 carcases : and the Suffolk, with 223,000 carcases. In addition the Surrey is to leave at the end of May, the Somerset towards the end of June, and the Devon and the Essex in July. It is stated in the message referred to that the arrangement that 36,000,0001bs of mutton and lamb shall be delivered within six months. As a matter of fact the three vessels which have already left will have taken over 27,000,0001b, taking the average carcase at 551b. A“ four large vessels are engaged it is likely that a much larger quantity will be delivered than that actually stated. This trade is welcomed by those in meat export circles who were seen by a reporter. “In the first place,” said one man, “it will help to work off a glut of meat held by the Imperial Government, and further it is creating a market in America which will benefit the industry when the commandeer is lifted.” ‘ But will not the fact that the British people appear to be getting the meat held longest be likely to react against the future sale of our meat ?” was a question. “Well, the sale to America will mainly be confined to lamb,” was the reply. “The major portion of the lamb held, apart from this season’s, consists of last season’s. There is not a great deal of two-year-old lamb now held, so that the condition generally should be good. America is apparently taking choice meat only, and will have to be educated up to the trade that appears certain to develop.”