HANDLING FROZEN MEAT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 218, 23 December 1910, Page 5

HANDLING FROZEN MEAT

DISSATISFACTION OF PRODUCERS. By Telegraph.—Proas Association, Hastings Last Nights; About 'fifty station-owners, farmers, and others interested in the frozen meat trade, met here this afternoon, and were addressed by Mr. Lysnar and Mr. L..H. McHardy, members of the New Zealand Investigation Committee. Mr. Lysnar emphasised the fact that the allegations were almost wholly admitted by those responsible, but the difficulty was to find and adopt the best method by which to, improve the state of affairs. » He estimated that New Zealand farmers were losing over £1,000,000 a year through faulty landing. The Argentine exporters surmounted the difficulty by sending produce to Liverpool, arid thence by train to Smithfield. He had seen the Dominion and Argentine meat side by side. The New Zealand article was dirty, torn and broken, while the Argentine meat was clean and wholesome. He expressed regret that Sir George Clifford and Mr. Beauchamp had endeavored to cover up the charges, instead of trying to improve matters. It was useless for them to defend the charges when those on the spot did not attempt to do so. The Home authorities agreed that there was plenty of room for improvement. Mr. W. Nelson said he was afraid that Mr. Lysnar had allowed his energy to outrun his discretion* Mr. Lysnar replied that he had pointed out in his report that the C.C. and D. Company's handling was quite satisfactory, and the barges used by Sir Montague Nelson were in good condition': On the motion of Mr. R. D. D. McLean, it was resolved "that the meeting desires to endorse the recommendations of the New Zealand Committee that better facilities be provided for handling and sorting New Zealand produce at the London docks, and that if facilities on lines suggested are provided by the Port of London authorities, the individual members present at this meeting will do all in their power to direct that their produce be discharged through these facilities." It 'was also resolved to endorse the report and recommendation of the New Zealand committee, firstly, that increased storage should be provided at Smithfield market; secondly,'that trolleys on rails be provided for carriage of meat within the market; thirdly, that the present allowances on New Zealand meat be made uniform with those allowed at other ports on foreign meat. If these requests be acceded to by the London City Corporation, this meeting considers that it will largely reduce the dissatisfaction among producers regarding the handling, storage, and distribution of their produce in London. A committee, consisting of Messrs. ■McHardy, N. Kettle, J. S. iMcLeod, and W. Richmond, was set up to further the recommendations of the investigation committee.