CURRENT TOPIC.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 October 1915, Page 4

CURRENT TOPIC.

FROZEN MEAT FOB. FEANOK. The French. Department of Agriculture, in a report which is epitomised in the New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, reports that, the success of the trial of frozen meat soon induced the War Department not only to replenish the depots with frozen meat, but also to send some to. the front, where the soldiers so highly appreciated it, that it was decided that all shiploads already arrived or about to arrive should 1)8 reserved exclusively for the army, and contracts were also made for a supply of 15,000 tons per month, beginning from January 1, 19)5. "The advantages ot frozen meat are easily seen," says the report. ,; It may be transported from place tfeplace without special precautions, pet-Iced in waggons or cavts in easily handled quarters, well protected against external soiling. It is of best quality, not over fat. ana perfectly Healthy. Tt Iras all the qualities of fresh meat when eaten at the proper time —that is, cooled ami kept the neces. sary time; it is much more tender than meat still warm after slaughter. Tt is, besides, incomparably superior to that furnished by cattle, tired and often ill, following troops; also infinitely superior to the flesh of requisitioned cattle." The quantity of frozen meal consumed in France in the first six months of lillo is estimated at 150,000 tons, purchased partly by the War Department, partly by private persons. The meat used is principally beef, representing about +.'50.000 head of cattle, almost half of what is required weekly in ordinary times. : So far Now Zealand has' not participated to any gerat extent in this new market, but we may depend on our active. High Commissioner in London doing bis best to induce the French authorities to cultivate a military and civilian taste for prime Canterbury mutton.