Our Meat Trade.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 243, 12 November 1903, Page 3

Our Meat Trade.

THE COMMITTEE'S REPORT. WELLINGTON, Nov. 11. In the House this afternoon Mr McKenzie, Chairman of the Extension of Commerce Committee, |l(rought tip a lengthy report of the meat trade of the colony both here and abroad. Summarising the position the Committee find that the quality of frozen meat exported from New Zealand is not excelled by that exported from any other country ; that tho quality is annually increasing, but that the Argentine is producing an article which in quality and Quantity is challenging our premier position ; that the New Zealand meat trade is in. a healthy condition ; that our products are widely distributed ; that the New Zealand grower is at present receiving satisfactory returns for meat, the prices for 1902-3 being the highest on record for the past nine years ; that New Zealand has for a time, at least, reached her limit of output; that it is of the first importance that she should devote herself to maintaining and improving her quality ; that New Zealand can easily place her whole present output at reasonable rates ; that as New Zealand and Argentine alike are doing well the time does not appear opportune, nor does it appear to be necessary' to venture on a system of trade rivalry with a country whose meat satisfies many of our customers and which in the case of severe competition can afford to Bell to a profit at much lower rates than can be done by us. The opinion of the committee is the inevitable effect of the establishment of shops in tho United Kingdom would be severe competition with the Argentine and a certain fall in values, that insurance rates should be reduced and the methods of assessment be reformed. After careMly considering the question in all in its bearings the Committee cannot recommend proposals which might seriously interfere with trade methods that have demanded and received years of careful thought to .eVolve and render suitable for the working of the trade, a system which, with all its shortcomings and mistakes, has resulted Jn fairly satisfactory prices being now returned to sheep growers of the colony. The report was ordei-ed to lie on the table of the House.