THE FROZEN MEAT QUESTION.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 2820, 9 August 1890, Page 6 (Supplement)

THE FROZEN MEAT QUESTION.

The following is (he p\per on the Frozen Meat question delivered by Mr Bayly before the Hamilton members of the Waikato Farmers' Club. This subject is one of much importance to the whole colony, and especially to this district at the present time. Seeing that our settlers are only now preparing to embark in the industry, we have decided to print the paper in full rather than by an attempt to condense it to in any way curtail its merits and usefulness :—

Mr Chairman,—The subject committed to me is one that must command the attention of every grazier within the colony ; the revolution that it has createc l in the value of, and the impetus given to the breeding of stock, by affording a remunerative outlet for surplus production, gives a special prominence to this industry that should never be lost sight of by any farmer, it being one if not at present the

Comparative Statement of the NnainKß of Carcases of Frozen Mutton Exported from tiik Coloxy DUKttrc the Year exdkd 31st March.

principal factor toward successful sheep and cattle raising It is not my intention to weary you with a host of statistics yet to show what freezing operations have effected in quitting surplus stock the following figures may be interesting ; these not only shew the gradual increase of tho frozen meat trade and the huge proportions to which it has attained with as yet no sign of decrease (just the reverse), that we can readily imagine to what straits the grazier would have been driven, to profitably quit their surplus, without this outlet, and if a comparison be made between the previously existing system of bailing down and meat preserving as against freezing, the results unmistakably speak for themselves. The only figures [ intend quoting are the following, which are the Customs Returns, for the last six years, to which may be added another year's return not yet ptiblislnd, and taking a slight increase for this period, the. enormous number of over 5,0U0,000, sheep are shown to have been exported by our own colony since this industry started, and I do not think I am far out if I value these carcases at £2,000.000.

If the above premises arc correct, which I think they are, wo muynow onquirebow this industry will apply to the area repreHented by the present body I have the pleasure to address, nnd how far its bonefit* cun bo utilised by tho sheep farmer or grazier within it. Now, gentlemen, there is an old paying, first cutch your hare, then cook him. Yon may apply it to out present position here. Have wo the necessary surplus beyond local require merits to furnish sufficient sheep for permanent freezing operations? We must be convinced of thi* fact before wo can satisfactorily carry it out. We must also bear in mind that wo have less sheep within the Auckland Province, in proportion to its population, than obtains in any other part of tho colony (Westlnnd exceptod), and not only lias the Auckland market hitherto absorbed all our available fat stock, but this number has been, and is annually supplemented by drafts from both tho East »nd West Coasts of the Island outside the Provincial District of Auckland, and should freezing operations bo extended to, and carried on as vigorously within the area from which this supply hns been obtained as elsewhere, it will become a question whether there will be any surplus at all to deal with for freezing purposes. Even if so at least two or three years must elapse before the supply will be largely in excess of local wants, especially when we may safely take our local wants at from 100,000 to 110,000 annually. This number has to be found before we can think of putting any large number to freezing purposes. 1 do not wish to infer that we cannot or must not freeze any. On the other hand even now freezing could be utilised to greatly benefit the grazier. I have no doubt but that you all are aware that the great bugbear to the owner of fat stock who depends solely upon the local market is the great fluctuations that occur in the prices obtainable. Then, owing to glutted markets, firut-clasa stock often realise les3 than stock of an inferior quality prior or subsequent to the glut. Tin's is, I think, a part of the question that might b<; grappled with, and it is here where the freezing works might be made the cure for this evil by acting as the safety valve for the overplus, and thus maintain steady prices. I am not prepared to come down with a scheme that would satisfy all sellers, but so long as the price for frozen mutton is in excess of that obtainable in the market for the fat stock the solution of this difficulty should not bo insurmountable. Another matter bearing upon the frozen meat question has been discussed at this Club, and I think is one well worthy of attention ; that is if the time should come when a surplus for freezing purposes is available will it not be possible, or rather should not the slaughtering ba done locally, and the carcases sent down to be frozen. To me it semns not only feasible but the proper cour.-o to pursue. In the first place instead of forwarding 00 sheep per tivuk 150 carcases could be sent in the same spice. Again, rejected sheep can be utilised on the spot or taken by owner instead of being sacrificed. Further, loss in weight is saved, bruising of carcases prevented, and industries ii* the shape of fellmongering, tanning, as well as dealing with the oft'.il, would be carried on in the district. Wo may possibly even go a step further. Should tho time eome when a real surplus is available might not local works be opened, and if so, will it bo possible to apply the Arktos system hero. This system has already been described in one of the late issues of Tub Waikato Tim us, and if as inexpensive and not more difficult in application than therein stated, at first sight it appears both practicable and possible to adopt it in our case, but as yet nothing definite as to its successful adoption elsewhere has transpired. In dealing with the frozen meat industry I hive endeavoured to show its undeniable benefit to the farmer, but I cannot quit the subject without a note of warning against its being used without close consideration as to future supply ; in fact, may we not possibly kill the goose that islayingthcgoldcn eggs. We arc all well aware that the price obtained for lamb carcasses is more than for any other description of frozen meat. This offers an inducement to owners to supply as much of this class as possible. Again our two and four-tooth sheep afford the weights and quality best adapted for freezing purposes, and is it not possible that many in availing themselves of the present, neglect the future, and by freezing too many of these affect the stamp of those remaining, and possibly deteriorate the breeding stock ? Freezing, when used as a means of culling, as well as for quitting stock, legitimately availed of, and utilised on these, lines, its value is doubly enhanced, but if used without consideration for the future a portion of its greatest value is lost sight of. With reference to frozen beef, I regret I have very little information to give, there being very little available in comparison with the other branch. It has been, and is still being, utilised in some places, and with results sufficient to induce its continuance. Situated as we are here, where the number of cattle is proportionately great, and where the price obtainable for fat stock leaves no great margin between this class and stores, it becomes a question demanding special attention, and might be enquired into fully with advantage. I shall conclude, !-'ir, by saying that in my opinion everything connected with this question should be closely watched by the. practical farmer. Improvements are taking place daily in these times of advanced science, and we may look forward to reap further benefits to this industry from that source. We also sue that steamers specially constructed to carry large cargoes of frozen meat are now running ; this should lower freights. Wβ can also observe that frozen meat must now be sold in the Homo market as such. This is another point gained in its favonr. New Zealand mutton tops the market, and | with this outlonk we need not fear its i future. The whole question is out) that j alTocts all farmers, and I hold iihii'o .so ■ here than elsewhere. Plenty of our lanlr* ; now in titree ami rubbish will ere loim; j bo carryinv shoop profitably, whatever tho land may not do, wo all know it will i grow root crops to perfection, and these

will produce wool and mutton. With turnips for winter, thoso same lands will carry a fair average of stiock per acru throughout tho year. .Hut going from I homo it does not uvitter wheiv tho stool*: is sent from, whether it be hen; or 100 j miles distant, tho number nenfc from uny ! one place must bo rrphc.-d, or lias I boon diverted from noma other eh;iu- : nel. Tho greater tho number so disposed of the greater value of those on hand, i and farmers should take a broad view of the matter, sink all local jealousies, ' unite and master all the situation, and utilise this boon for the common welfare. ! The time to realise all its benefits may ! not have fully arrived, but I think it i? not far distant. We can see the coin- : paratively larse increase in sheep that has taken place during the last two year;*, and with every indication of ; further progress. The time when we EhallVerjuirc to freeze sheep continuou.-ly must eome, and when it does wo should i be prepared to avail ourselves of all its ! advantages. I N.B.—Since writing, the Waitara I works havi? been taken over by a private company at Wanganui, West Coast, and this supply for Auckland has, therefore, j been tapped. The Auckland company { have also issued a fresh prospectus, offeriug advantageous terms to the small class of graziers.

— | 1884. 1885. 1SSG. 1S87. ( LS S S | 188!). Auckland ... ~m I I _ Im Napier j 0,003 8U.089 iim'w ' lr >' 0; ' 7 i 20S,33.> Wellington 40,803 130,430 137 '- M>I 11U ' 3CL 2011,785 ' 22<J, KiO Picton I ... 15,1)50 ln ' go-V,.,, ; ... I Lyttelton i 80,020 121,027 1 !' 1 ,'.1-r, i 31fi.455 : 327,052 Oamaru I ... ... 32 > 2 "° - I ... «8,10S Biuff edin ::: :::: SI < 153,:521 \ ; HK 1247,772 4!)l,0f>6 574,1!>2 i 700,007 ' 1)31.520 1.013 032