THE WORLD'S MEAT FUTURE 17 



ally are in good fettle. Nevertheless, exports of Beef were con- 

 siderably lighter than was anticipated, disastrous droughts two 

 years previously having materially reduced the herds in Queens- 

 land. Mutton was shipped in restricted volume because so many 

 graziers, anxious to replenish their flocks, were ready to pay 

 prices for stock beyond the moderate limits imposed upon the 

 freezing works by their contract with the British Goveriunent. 

 The Works, however, have taken these operations philosophically, 

 realising that they mean larger supplies of freezers for them in 

 the near future. 



"The total export output of beef, mutton and lamb in 1917 

 from all the Australian Works was 118,540 tons, of which 

 108,740 tons were beef, and only 9,800 tons mutton and lamb. 

 This meat was all shipped for the United Kingdom, except 5,530 

 tons. In 1916, the total export was 104,000 tons; in 1915, 

 132,090 tons; and in 1914, 171,200 tons. 



"Storage accommodation had been much increased during 

 1916 in expectation of a larger export trade, but this extra 

 space was not required in 1917, partly because of the restricted 

 quantities liandled, and partly because the supply of tonnage 

 was comparatively well maintained. Several experiments were 

 made in the cutting of frozen carcases, with a view to economi- 

 cal stowage on board ship ; and in the case of mutton and lamb 

 these proved successful to the exteint of saving 15 to 30 per 

 cent, of space. In the case of beef, the first experimental 



shipment has not yet come to hand, though its treatment also 

 is well spoken of by those who prepared it. Very much 

 more, freight space might have been saved by shipping a 

 larger proportion of boned beef. 



^'Neiv Zealand. — The export trade was carried on through- 

 out the year under the revised contract made with the Imperial 

 Government in October, 1916. Owing to scarcity of tonnage, 

 shipments were considerably smaller in 1917 than in 1916. For- 

 tunately large additions had been made to the storing capacity 

 of all the leading works in the Dominion, so that there was no 

 real difficulty about holding over stocks in store. Towards the 

 end of the year the large shipments made relieved the position ; 

 but the restriction of business throughout the year added con- 

 siderably to the cost of production. 



"Sales of the surplus supplies of lamb were made in London 

 at 9id. in January and at lOd. during the remainder of the year, 



