The Temuka Leader SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1883. THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1166, 27 October 1883, Page 2

The Temuka Leader SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1883. THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

One of the most important industries ever- utsrfpd in New Zealand is the Frozen Aleut Trade, and theicfore it behoves those whose interests aie at stake to unite in fostering and promoting jt. New Zealand meat is getting itsname up in London, jt has always sold at a higher rate than the rnttat of any of the other Australian colonies. The American people set very little value oiv the Australian meat. They scarcely recognise the Australian colonies as competitors with themselves in the Louden market at all. The climate of Australia is not suitable for the meat trade, and there have been as many failures as successes in the shipments hitherto forwurded. 'lhe case with NewZealaudis different. There has been no failure at all except such as arise out of want of experience, When people come to understand the process better thsi'e will not be a failure at all. The prospi ct of having to compete with New Zea'nnd has been regarded more seriously than one would think by the Americnu nco-

pie. So much importance is attached in the United States to New Zealand competition in the English meat market, that a New York paper recently sent a reporter expressly to, Chicago to ' interview ' Mr Philip Armour, the great meat exporter, whose advice, it will be recollected, was asked not long ago by the New Zealand Government, through the United States Consul at Auckland, relative to meat preserving, j The New York reporter asked Mr Armour's' views regarding the trade in ' frozen meats now gcing forward by regular service from New Zealand to the Mother Country.' In reply to this request, Mr Armour said—' I have no doubt that they will be able to make a gieat success of the shipment of frozen sheeps' meat. In canned beef they compete with us. A gpntleuinn from New Zealand, Mr Banks, of Banks and Co., of Auckland, who have a large house there, and have been established for 30 years, was here the other day, and told me of their success in sheep shipments. Bat we can beat them on canned beef, because we can dispose of the fresh meats that we don't put into the can at pretty cheap prices, while they hav« no way of marketing their cuts and have to put all into their cans. When it comes to marketing the entire bullock fresh, 1 would not be surprised if they could beat us on that.' Mr Armour thus believes that New Zealand cau beat America in the exportation of frozen meat in carcases, both of mutton and beef, but lie thinks America can hold her own in preserved beef, for the reason he alleges as quoted above. But we arc disposed to doubt the accuracy of his information on the latter poiot, for we are given to understand that a very ready market is found in New Zealand for the ' cuts' not canned. At any rate, the fact that so much importance is attached by the Americans to having to compete with this colony in the English market, ought to act as an incentive to Ub to put forward our best efforts. Our first object should be to send no meat to the London market except that which is of the best quality. By adhering to this plan, we shall gut New Zealand meat a good name in the market, and once that is established we can do pretty well as we like. Directors of the Companies must also take care care that they shall not give the management of refrigerating concerns to any except trustworthy, experienced men, ; who will see that the meat is placed on board in a proper condition, and that none but the best is allowed to pass. If these and other minor matters are properly attended to, we have no doubt but that thera is a great future for the Frozen Meat Trade of New Zealand,

THE REFRIGERATING WORKS SITE.

The Shareholders in the South Canterbury Refrigerating Company will shortly be called upon to elect Permanent Directors, and choose a site for their works. On the Directors they will choose, and on the suitability of the site, will depend the saccess of the Company to a great extent. The majority of shareholders are on this side of Titnaru, but the enterprise and energy are on the olher side, and it will be a fierce struggle as to which side will win if all we hear be true. To erect the Refrigerating Works 14 miles at the other side of Timaru, would be a fearful blunder. It would result in causing all the sheepowners northwards of this town to forward their meat to Christchurch and as South Canterbury is not too large to supply sufficient meat to make the Company a success, it would be disastrous to lose any portion of the district. The shareholders ia this district ought not to forget to be present at the meeting at which the questions referred to are to be decided, and they, ought also to work unitedly together. If liiey do not do this, they will regret it will when they have to take their sheep to Pareora, and then pay carriage for the dead carcases back to the port of Timaru,