COLONIAL TINNED MEATS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 22 March 1907, Page 2

COLONIAL TINNED MEATS.

ARRIVAL 01' IMPERIAL (lITICER. Per Press Association. Wellington, March 21. .Major Long, who comes to the colony accredit,.! by the British (ioveriiiiienl to ,'iiqnii'c into the colonies' tinned meat industries, with a view of ascertainiii" the possibilities of contracts for sup" lies being entered into between companies and the llritish War Ollice, arrived from Sydney to-day. Some time since it was stated the colony's freezing companies were not likely to tender as the supply of tinned meats in New Zealand was too small to come up to the minimum reipiircmcnts of the War

dlliee. dr. this aspect of the case, Major Long said it was erroneous to assume Unit the (iovernmcut, would require ;i,(Mti,()(Ntlli of tinned meal per year. lli> indicated (hut the War (mice would 1,.. prepared to enter into contracts for nnieh smaller quantities. Further, supplies under contracts would not require to he delivered in bulk; gradual consignments at regular periods only would lie looked lor. Major Long went on to say that he was aware freezing was regarded by tin; meat companies as of primary importance in this country, but liii (iiiiK-ai-.il lo lie hopeful dial his mission would not be altogether fruitless. Naturally, he said, the British (iovernment would give prefcrenre to colonial suppliers, hut this could only be done where prices were admitted,. It could "«t, for instance, be expected that contrad s would be placed with the colonies if prices were much above (lane charged lor the American article, nor did he burl; the fact that there is a great prejudice in the army again.,! American tinned meat since the Chica"o disclosures. Major Long is not concerned only with the capabilities of the colonies lo supply tinned meats, ilis enquiries will extend to the system of inspection in vogue, and the quality of tli! meats tinned. Incidentally, he will nlso have something to say in his report as to the advisableness of entering into contracts after considering the question in all its bearings, both from un Imperial and commercial point nj view. Alter inspecting the works in Wellington, and making complete enquires abom the system of dovcrnment supervision and inspection, he will, in all likelihood go on to Auckland, thence to Canterbury, otago, ami Southland. Subsequently he will return to Sydney, apd prosecute his mission in the' Commonwealth.