THE MEAT TRADE.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 April 1921, Page 3

THE MEAT TRADE.

THE FRENCH MARKET. AN INCREASING DEMAND. London, Feb. 2. In France to-day food prices are continually rising, and there is an active campaign against what is considered to be the unjustifiable exploitation of the public. The price of meat has risen to such an extent that it is beyond the purchasing power of the average housewife, and schemes are on foot for remedying this evil by the larger import of frozen meat. There was a very strong prejudice before the war to the purchase of frozen meat, but that has been largely changed during the last six years, for it will be remembered that the British Government was responsible for maintaining the meat supply of France during the war period, and people have come to realise how greatly mistaken they, were in regard to the frozen article. One of the regulations which originally governed the import of meat the entrails should be in situ, which naturally prevented New Zealand from trading with the country. Harassing restrictions were naturally removed during the war, but since the cessation of hostilities new regulations have been imposed. At the present time there is a far greater demand for meat than ever before, which the high prices are putting a heavy embago on. The Prefect of the Seine proposes to place an abundant quantity of imported meat on the markets in Paris, and the larger towns, bought on favorable terms under the contract by the services under his control. It is expected that this will render French native fresh meat possible for the purses of provincial housewives, while the favorable coiltracts made will permit of the sale of frozen meat at prices 20 or 25 per cent below that of fresh meat.

The plans of the prefect include the organising of a system which will be generalised to render as short as possible the period of cold storage and ensure the rapid distributio’n of the cargoes of frozen meat. The new organisation will begin its work in Paris, and at the same time will meet the requirements, not only of those municipalities, wishing to form part of the associatioiiy but also of Paris tradespeople who in writing their willingness to taK®f so many tons.

French Government frozenmeat prices is at present YppJntained to some extent by a system whereby the seller in applying fojj. ft license to import, is compelled 'to state the price at which he intends/to sell his meat. The whole question, however, is in a state of development, and Mr. Alexander Crabb, New Zealand, Irade and produce officer, has gone oyer to France to study the conditions and to push the interests of New Zealand producers so far as possible. He will also visit Belgium, where it is understood there is a possibility of opening up a trade in frozen horse flesh. Holland is likely to approve of the import of Argentine meat, and j\ir. Crabb will go on to that countoyfind out as much as possible con--‘ferning the prospects of opening up trade Relations with the Dominion.