FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 301, 29 January 1910, Page 5

FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

THE CONFLUENCE AT UIK ISTaJL'KL'U. By Telegrapii.—l'rcs, Association. Christchurch, Friday. The fro/I'll meat conference committee recommended that freezing companies bo requested to consider whether it is desirable to join a meat trade federation, with ;i view of protcctintr their mutual interests, more especially such matters' as forms of bills of'ladiue. policies of insurance, c.i.f., and contracts, discharge in London, insurance and tpuility claims , pooling gradiu.e, labor laws, and any other matters j7 a similar nalnre that may tend towards improvement. A committee was set up for the impose of protecting their interests and to take steps to ascertain if the producers of New Zealand are prepared 10 subscribe the fund necessary for expenses. The committee consider the time is opportune for the organisation of producers through whom frozen meat, should be consigned and sold, seeing that several co-operative companies are in existence, and the present facilities for disposal sufficient. The committee recommended thy consideration of the question of cool storage in London for the use of New Zealand exporters. The report was agreed to. The following remits were agreed to: —That it lie a recommendation to the conference that representatives be appointed to represent New Zealand producers at the Vienna Congress next September with a view of opening >ip Continental markets; that it be a -•"- commendation to the conference to enquire into the rates and conditions ;>f insurance againest damage; that it be a recommendation to freezing companies to use stronger covers. A motion thai' steps should he taken to regulate shipments as far as possible from New Zealand to suit requirements and stocks .held in London and afloat was negatived. VIEWS (IF TTTF MTXTSTF'? i';)i; AOTJICULTUKE. Christchurch, Last Night. The. Minister for Agriculture was re ceived with applause. lie said he intended to deal with some points raised .by the conference, although he did not think it in his power to add much to the excellent information given by those connected with the trade, for the best ability and the greatest experience had been brought to bear to .solve ihe problems confronting the industry. (Questions had been raised as to control and pooling, the difference between wholesale and retail prices, (he increased storage and a board to dominate prices. The questions n! insurance and damage claims had also oecn raised. The history of the industry had b<vn touched on. and it was gratifying to Xew Zealanders to know that the Dominion had prospered eo well. No one who had watched the development f the industry could help feeling thai those associated, iioth farmers and freezing companies, had done noble and excellent work. The distribution of some firms in the Old Country had been excellent, and there wore freezing companies in the Dominion which by close attention to work had developed ihe industry in a way no other organsiation could have. Their grading had been excellent both in regard to weight and quality. There was no antagonism between one section and another. Ail .were present to work mutually tor the development of their own interests. Mr. Mackenzie continued that the problems the conference was taking in hand had .engaged the attention of some of (he ablest men hi Xew Zealand for move than a quarter of a century, lie believed, however, no practical result would be obtained unless all the interests com. bined at this end to carry out what ought to be decided on at the ooniV--.ence. The conference had to eonsid -v the question of combination at this end and of a better sy-tem of handling produce at the other. The question of regulating shipments also came within . •'if. order of reference. Neglect in that, respect from time to time led to g'u'.in the Home market. It did not matter whether the market wa« con- . sumiug small quantities or large. The want of care in the regulation of shipments, brought the same unsatisfactory results. His experience in London scom•d to show that at one time the only possible thing for Xew Zealand to do was to establish one central mark it through which the whole country's meat could go. There was no doubt the position of the industry required great thought and most careful handling. Although (he world's flocks were diminish, ing. notably on the continent of Knvoo-e, it was only in the countries to wiii-m i Xew Zealand had no aeccsv for inrreas- ! inc flocks. On the other hand, the (Vni monwenlth of Australia and the Atgentine had (locks numberin« from IT.i.O'Jd.000 to 200.000.000. while Xew Zealand's ■sheep numbered 24.000.000. If Xew Zealand could send had* -the quantity that the United Kingdom in ordinary conditions could consume, what was to become of the frozen mutton and lamb that would be sent into the same market from Australia and the Argentine? The future on the whole was full of reasonable promise, The whole of (he world's trade was reviving. Scanning the history of the commrecial world ; duriiu;' the'past twelve months he said there would be seen evidences of a revival of trade. Xew Zealand had her i work to do in employing more enliu.il- 1 crnvl methods and preparing products dm- export, "making better regulations or shipments as far as practicable and in ■ he vine- a more efficient system ot handj lint;' the products abroad.