MEAT EXPORT TRADE

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1016, 5 July 1930, Page 29

MEAT EXPORT TRADE

NO DEMAND FROM GLASGOW “LONDON BEST CENTRE" Captain A. W. Pearse, representative for Australia and New Zealand of the Port of London Authority, writes: “I have just read a pamphlet issued by the Port of Glasgow, advocating direct shipments of meat to that port. Kindly insert the following points regarding their meat trade:“Glasgow imports 1 per cent., i.e., I,oooth of the total importation of frozen and chilled meat into the United

Kingdom. “It is hardly likely that such shrewd • traders as Vestey’s aud the South American Companies Avould miss the opportunity of shipping a larger percentage to that port if there were any prospect of developing the trade. Tho small aud uncertain demand does not justify direct shipments. “Whatever may be the geographical position of Glasgow in relation to Scotland, the plain fact is that the Scots prefer their own home-grown meat and only a small quantity of frozen is required for the poor classes, j .“It would he bad advice to any shipper to recommend him to ship frozen meat to such an uncertain mar-

ket as Glasgow, when London offers such unrivalled opportunities both as a local market and also for proviu-! cial distribution. “Of the 40,000,000 consumers in the United Kingdom, 15,000,000 depend j upon imported mutton, lamb and beef. J Of (lie 15,000,000, oA'er 13,000.000 are j supplied through London and 6,500.000 j of these 13.000,000 are within ten miles : of London. “Many people fail to realise that j when meat is sent from the Do min- i ions to England it has to be sold in a | wholesale market and it Is London i only which offers an international market. It is not practicable to ship direct from the Dominions to butchers and very small markets all over the country. “The position with regard to butter and apples is practically the same as for meat. “It is a recognised fact that the great market for XeAv Zealand and Australian butter is the South of England. “The juggling with railway and other rates is simply a ‘red herring’ | to draw the attention of shippers away from the best market.”