Mrat Supplies for the United Kingdom. 659 



of eithor the producer, butcher, or packer mean discouragement and 

 delay in the forward movement of our meat export trade, and it is our 

 duty to draw attention to the pitfalls which must be avoided and the 

 ideal whicli must be striven after to enable us to attain the standard 

 we desire. 



In a pamphlet issued by this Department (L.S. 83) — " The South 

 African Export Trade in Beef " — is set out briefly oversea reports 

 on some of our early shipments. From them we learn with pleasure 

 that the quality of the meat was better than might have been expected 

 from a country where breeding was largely confined to the production 

 of animels for draught purposes, and that it compared favourably 

 with that of the pioneer shipments from either Australia or the 

 Argentine. The criticism of an Italian expert on a consignment 

 unloaded at Spezzia in Italy is of special interest to farmers, for, 

 in dealing with the characteristics and quality of the meat, he 

 comments most favourably on its taste and tenderness, which are the 

 main attributes of a table meat, and expresses the opinion that our 

 meat is assured of successful penetration into European markets when 

 certain defects in tlie article are removed. This improvement, how- 

 ever, will never come about so long as we breed an animal first for 

 transport and then for the butcher. We have yet to reach the stage 

 where the specialization of our product will enable us to compete 

 with the highly improved cattle of other countries. This Depart- 

 ment is concerned primarily with the fostering of an industry in 

 breeding the right class of cattle for the special purpose of beef 

 export. It looks confidently to the farmer to work with it and avail 

 himself of its assistance in an earnest endeavour rapidly to achieve 

 this end. 



Sunflower Seed Export. 



As reflecting the general opinion of buyers oversea, the Acting- 

 Trade Commissioner draws attention to a letter received by him from 

 a prominent London firm recommending South African shippers to 

 grade sunflower seed to colour, for at present it is the usual experience 

 that parcels exported contain black, white, grey, and striped seeds. 

 It is also suggested that, failing grading in the above manner,, 

 business will considerably be facilitated if the seed could be 

 thoroughly bulked, so that the seed is uniform, and .sold overseas 

 on sample as " mixed sunflower seed." 



It may be mentioned that the Government graders at the Union 

 ports are prepared to inspect sunflowei- seed for good marketable con- 

 dition only and to certify accordingly. Beyond this they are not 

 able at present to do anything, as no grading regulations for sun- 

 flower seed have vet been issued. 



