1918. j 
The N.Z. Journal of Science and Technology. 
157 
THE FROZEN-MEAT INDUSTRY OF NEW ZEALAND. 
By M. A. Eliott. 
Like all other commercial, industrial, and national projects, the frozen- 
meat industry originated and has since been based on the ancient, universal, 
and continuous law of supply and demand. 
Let us see how this has applied to the rise of the great frozen-meat 
industry in New Zealand. Taking first the demand, the following table 
shows the population at different periods as compared with the number of 
live-stock in the United Kingdom :— 
Year. 
Population. 
Live-stock (Cattle, 
Sheep, and Pigs). 
1850-60 
.. 28,265,000 
40,676,000 
1867 
.. 31,000,000 
46,770,524 
1880 
.. 35,606,000 
42,974,261 
1910 
.. 45,500,000 
46,491,521 
1914 
.. 46,000,000 
44,097,000 
A parliamentary return gave the following average prices of meat:— 
Year. 
1851 
1861 
1871 
1881 
1895 
1910 
Price per 
Pound. 
Average Quantity of 
Meat imported per Head 
of Population. 
4fd. 
0-01 lb. 
6fd. 
• . 
8d. 
• 0 
8Jd. 
3-5 lb. 
12-4 lb. 
28 lb. 
The dwindling flocks and herds compared with the increasing popu 
lation in the United Kingdom had given rise to considerable food for 
thought, and the matter was frequently discussed in Parliament. 
Turning now to the supply (from New Zealand), the following table 
will show the enormous increase of the flocks and herds in New Zealand 
Year. 
Population. 
Cattle. 
Sheep. 
1851 
26,707 
68.000 
233.043 
1861 
99,021 
193,285 
2,761,383 
1871 
256,393 
436,592 
9,700,629 
1881 
489.933 
698,637 
12,985,085 
1911 
.. 1,025,406 
2,020,171 
23,996,126 
1916 (approx.) 
.. 1,150,000 
2,417,491 
24,788,150 
In the “ sixties ” and “ seventies,” in New Zealand, sheep had increased 
so rapidly that there was no means of dealing profitably with the surplus 
stock. Boiling down for the sake of the tallow was the only outlet, and 
large numbers of sheep were often sold for 6d. to Is. per head. Sheep 
were grown solely for the wool, the carcase being practically of no value. 
Indeed, it is related that the surplus flocks in some districts were driven 
over the cliffs into the sea, this being the only practicable means of getting 
rid of them. Even forty years ago it was not an uncommon thing for prime 
legs of mutton to be sold at 6d. each. Mr. C. J. Monro states that in Marl¬ 
borough he remembers a line of 1,000 prime wethers being sold for £30 for 
the lot. 
