MEAT FROM CHINA.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 190, 23 September 1909, Page 4

MEAT FROM CHINA.

COLONIES' NEW RIVAL IN THE MEAT TRADE.

London, September (J. The first consignment of Jrozcn pork ever shipped from China, to which reference was recently made, has boon unloaded from the P, and O. refrigerator steamer Palermo, at tlm Royal Albert Docks. The consignees are now awaiting the verdict of the Corporation officer of health upon the condition of the meat. His inspection, which is very minute, has extended over some days, as the utmost cart* to be taken to prevent, at the outset, the opening up of a trade in meat which might not be freo from disease.

Four thousand six hundred nnd sixty* tlirot frozen carcases of pjgg form the principal item in the cargo. There arc also large consignments of poultry,deer, eggs and game. The shipment travelled well and the meat wns in good order upon arrival. The fact that the resources of China were to be called upon to aid ia the task of supplying the meat .markets of Lonaon wag mentioned by Sir Thomas Sutherland, the chairman of the P. and 0. Steam Navigation Company, at thn annual meeting of the company, he expressed the hope that this first shipment would mark tjie beginning of ! a very large Chinese trade. ' The arrival in London of this consignment of frozen carcases indicates that the British colonies have a new com* petitoj to reckon with in, the meat market of_ the Old Country. It is the International Export Company who have undertaken this enterprise. The refrigerating and packing .plant of this company is built upon the most approved American plan, and if the pork venture proves a success consignments of game will follow. The resources of China are unlimited in this connection, and before long Chinese pheasants, quail, snipe, geese, etc., will, it is expected, bv a. common sight in London markets. The following comparative wholesale prices in London and Cliin.i will show that, even allowing for lib.eral profits, there is in China nn excellentsources of cheap supply:—Pl,enfant, i.i London, 69 to 7s; in China lOd to U. Smpe, Gd (London), 1 %,] (China). Quail, 8d (London), Id (China). Ducts 2s (London) 7d (China), (ioesc, 5s to bs (London), fld to Is (China). ]!.*»,• per doz., ] s (London). li/,d (Chinuh" ' . Importers of colonial meat ar; a ,V ait . i"?,,''" 1 Chinese shipment Vfoie committing themselves to opinions as to the possibilities of the r K «v -rude, but they are by 110 means inclined to pooh-pooh the efforts of this new wTlnde A r ' m Hl ° fr " z( '" ■neat tiad( A director of the Colonial Consignment and Distributing Company whoso opinion has been sought oil the subject, declared that it was another argument , n favor of preferential t • , Z lhe Coin,try and hands" be M l' e ks l lt nanus, he s»ud, it is more than ever Sr& tWeShoUld "-a prefer-