TINNED MEAT INDUSTRY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8386, 22 March 1907, Page 4

TINNED MEAT INDUSTRY.

• . By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, March 21. Major Long, who comes to tr.e colony accredited by the British Government; to .-enquire into the colonies' tinned meat industries, with a view to ascertaining the possibili- ' ties of contracts for supplies being entered into between companies and the British War Office, arrived from Sydney to-day. Some time since it ' was stated that the freezing companies in the colony were not likely to tender, as the supply of tinned meats in New Zealand was too small to come up to the minimum requirements of the War Offie. v On the aspect of the case Major Long said it was erroneous, to assume that the Government would re-' quire 3,000;0001bs of tinned meat per year. He indicated that the War Office would bejprepared to enter into contracts of much smaller quantities. Further supplies under contracts would not require to be delivered in bulk. Gradual cohsignitieiits &t .regular periods only would be looked for. Major Long went on to say that hj& was aware that freezing was regarded by the meat companies as of primary importance in this country, but he appeared to be hopeful that his mission would not be altogether ; fruitless. Naturally, he said, the British Government would give preference to colonial suppliers, but this could only be done where prices were admitted. It could not, for:iristance, be expected that contracts would be placed with the colonies if the prices were, much above those charged for the Ataerican article. Major Long is not concerned only with the capabilities of the colonies to supply tinned meats.! His enquiries will extend to the system of inspection in vogue, and the quality of meats tinned.- Incidentally he will also have somehjrig to'say in his rer! port as to the advisableness of entering into contracts after considering the question in all its bearings botb. from an Imperial and commercial point of view. After inspecting the works in Wellington, and making complete enquiries about the system of Government supervision and inspection he will in all likelihood go on to Auckland, thence to Canterbury, Otago and Southland. Subsequently ,he will return to Sydney and prosecute his mission in the Commonwealth.