"FINEST LAMB."

Taranaki Daily News, 17 June 1920, Page 5

"FINEST LAMB."

PRAISE FOR NEW ZEALAND.

TREAT FOR NEW YORKERS. - NEWSPAPER SELLS MEAT. By Teleeraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. The arrival of the steamer Armagh at New York with 290,6601bs of Now Zealand lamb for sale in the American market was announced Inst month by a cablegram dated May ft. From flies to hand by mail it transpires that this consignment was being put on the market by the Globe newspaper, the avowed object being to produce a reduction in the prices being charged to the public for home-grown lamb and mutton.

. "The finest lamb in the world —New Zealand lamb —is here at a price which will smash the market with a saving of from 12 to 14 cents a pound to Globe readers," runs the announcement of the scheme. "All this week the wholesale price of top grade domestic lamb has been 34 cents a pound, with medium grade selling at 32 cents. Lower grades have brought less, but even old sheep have been bringing 25 cents wholesale The Globe has effected arrangements whereby the choicest quality of New Zealand lamb will go immediately to the demonstration stations at 20J cents a pound wholesale for a whole carcaße."

TO BREAK HIGH PRICES. Explaining that the avrangement was made with the express purpose of endeavoring to break what were claimed as inflated prices charged for meat by the packers, the writer of the article added that a second shipment was on the way, carried by the steamer Suffolk, and after that a steady stream, of New Zealand mutton and lamb would pour intj New York. * The market arrangements called for 600,0001bs a month for six months at a little less than 18 cents a pound for lamb, and not quite 10 cents for mutton. "Of course this means a tremendous sag in the price of meat all round," he continues. "The Globe price will strangle the upward trend." A series of articles continues from May 8 to May 18, that being the last number of the Globe to arrive. As soon as the shipment became available a list of those retail shops selling New Zealand lamb was appended daily, the public being urged to buy, and thus while securing lamb of the finest quality, aid in the fight against what are described as "patrioteers," "pilfiteers," and "profiteers." "ASTONISHING SUPERIOEITY." While the merits of the scheme and

the saving to be effected are emphasised, particular stress is laid upon the quality of the meat being offered. "New Zealand lamb ranks higher than the lamb- of any other country on earth," states one paragraph. "Its quality is of such surprising excellence that retail butchers who now see it for the first time can scarcely believe the evidence of their own senses. One simply cannot exaggerate the really astonishing superiority which distinguishes the New Zealand product from that of the American market. It represents a difference so substantial and self-evident that only a year of our own experience can reveal the truth.

"Yesterday I stood by while the Armagh's hatches were opened," continues the writer. "I watched the wonderful chambers disgorge the finest specimens of lamb ever examined by the Government veterinary, each separate carcase bearing a tag with the signature of the official who inspected and passed it. The dressed meat is done up in an individual cheese cloth garment, as if cleanliness and decency meant something to New Zealanders, who are now destined to exhibit the extraordinary merits of their native lamb to the admiring eyes of hungry Americans." DELICACY OF BEST HOTELS.

The opinion of a man engaged in the meat trade is detailed in the following passage: "Alfred Benjamin, an importer of Argentine meat, purchased a leg of New Zealand lamb. Reporting his experience he said: 'I realise I am. not doing my own business any good in giving expression to my enthusiasm ovar this New Zealand lamb. The flavor is unlike that of anything in the world. The fine hotels have never served anything t.i compare with it. The baby lamb served as a specialty is so far inferior in quality and flavor to this New Zealand meat that one wonders why New Zealand lamb did not come here many years ago. It certainly has como to stay.'"

The reception of the meat by the publie is described in the. following enthusiastic terms: "Stores were actually crippled by the rush for New Zealand lamb The demand for legs assumed a caprictousness not easily described. Xo lamb has more than two hind legs, vet the public, in its delirium of ccstacy, seen;* to act on the assumption that »; e w Zealand lamb consists exclusively of legs. A:, any rate those who have had their fir-t taste of New Zealand lamb, from whatever cut of the carcase they were lucky enough to get a portion, will scarcely ever again be satisfied with any other kind." THE TRUST BEATEN. The Armagh sailed from Wellington on March 27 for New York. The whole of her consignment was not to the Globe. The balance above the quantity tnken in connection with the scheme was consigned to Armour and Co!, and it was stated that that firm had purchased in New Zealand at something over 11 cents ;i pound. Tt is not revealed by what agency the Globe transacted its purchase of the meat. It is stated, however, that negotiations began (10 days prior to tha arrival of the ship, and that further purchases were being arranged in connection with the same project.

The paper claimed that but for its interference the whole of the shipment would have been quietly put on the market by packers at prices ecmal to those then being charged for home-grown mutton, and that extortionate profits would have been made.