FROZEN MEAT TRADE IN ENGLAND.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 6, Issue 1682, 10 May 1884, Page 2

FROZEN MEAT TRADE IN ENGLAND.

The London correspondent of the Dunedin Star writes:—" On Monday (March 14), I had an interesting conversation with Mr Larkworthy, of the Bank of New Zealand and New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Conipany. This gentleman is a firm believer in the future of the frozen meat trade, He says the demand for New Zealand mutton is increasing daily; in fact, the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile can sell as much as they can get, Prices rule now from GJd per lb (wholesale) for mutton, to Bcl for lamb, and there seems every prospect of these rates hardening still more. One reason why someol the.New Zealand mutton, to hand by. recent steamers did not fetch good prices was because the carcases were' miserably second-rate; in fact, meat that would not sell in the colony, 'New Zealandcrs,' said Mr. Larkworthy, 'must not suppose that they can send us over fifth-rate stuff and get tip-top prices'for it. Above everything, a high standard of quality should be maintained, Our mutton, has a good name now, but a few lots' : of indifferent meat would destroy it,' That this is strictly true none can doubt; witness the disastrous effect which-the Mataura/two had on the market for weeks afterwards, Mr Larkworthy feels annoyed that just as everything, promises so fair the consignments of frozen.meat from New Zealand.should have been checked, 'Here, 1 he said, 'is the Doric: coming Home without a carcase on board, and do you know I '■blame spine of yoa London correspondents.for.it. You have talked:, nonsense about glutting the market till you-have scared shippersl' 'Mr Larkworthy pooh-poohs the idea; of 'American, Russian, or River Plate mutton rivalling' tho New' Zealand meat,' or even' having the smallest chance against it, Tho sheep, are topjittle, and lack fat. A River' Plato "carcass looks puny and discolored beside an animal fed on the luscious herbage of Otago.