NEW ZEALAND MEAT TRADE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 6 May 1907, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND MEAT TRADE.

WAR OI'TIC'K COMMISSIONER'S VIEWS.

Per Press Association,

Wellington, May 3. Major Long, who lias toured the colouv j inspecting the various freezing and preserving works in the interests of the British War Office, has terminated his tour. He is greatly impressed by (lie wellorganised and perfect system of Government inspection of freezing and moat works, all of which he had visited. The Government and the companies had afforded him every facility in carrying out his mission, and he had received valuable assistance from Mr. Reakes, Acting-Chief Government Veterinarian, who had accompanied the visitor througout the tour. The colony had a fine supply of real good meat, and if it should secure orders from the War Office there should lie a big demand for our preserved meats in other directions. There was one suggestion the visitor had to make when asked if there was any room for improving an important trade. Major Long said he was not impressed with what was known as the "boned" meat phase of the industry. Although the Government inspector guaranteed that nothing but pure and absolutely clean meat was exported, still it was lean, and when deposited in London it often presented anything but a nice appearance. Under the terms of the Slaughtering and Inspection Act, he found the Government officers could not condemn such meat so long as'it was free from disease. At the same time the colony was taking a risk of having its best trade seriously affected by continuing to send home boned meat, for such goods would prejudice the best quality meat. Of course the boned meat industry was a legitimate trade, and he recognised that it had sprung up in response to a demand for that class of meat. At the same time it was hardly a business upon which New Zealand exporters could pride themselves. The Mayor was informed that the Chief Veterinarian (Mr. Gilnith) had spoken in a similar strain some months ago, and uttered a similar word of warning. "Well," concluded the Major, '"F make these remarks to you in the best interests of the meat trade, anil especially because all the other meat exported from New Zealand is of such particularly high quality." Major Long leaves at the end of next week to continue his mission in Australia.