1918.] 
The N.Z. Journal of Science and Technology. 
199 
The schedule attached shows that cattle in England and Wales in 1916 
were over 151,000 more than in 1915. 
Cattle 
Sheep 
1915. 
6,064,150 
17,522,580 
1916. 
6,215,780 
17,951,120 
Increase 
per Cent. 
2-5 
24 
This increase in cattle is the largest ever recorded. Pigs, on the other 
hand, decreased by 252,090—104 per cent. 
The estimated figures for the whole of the United Kingdom are :— 
Cattle 
Sheep 
Pigs 
1915. 
12,130,775 
28,182,088 
3,783,994 
1916. 
12,412,221 
28,053,825 
3,605,229 
281,446 increase. 
128,263 decrease. 
178,765 decrease. 
So that the increase in cattle is just over 2 per cent., while in sheep and 
pigs there are slight decreases. This increase is probably due to the 
Maintenance of Live-stock Order, and it may show even a better result 
next year. But the main point is that there is no prospect of increased 
supplies for killing purposes. 
For some years prior to the war persistent rumours were in circulation 
in New Zealand regarding the advent of the American meat-packing com¬ 
panies or their agents into this country. It was difficult to obtain any proof 
of the correctness of these rumours, although it was generally felt in frozen- 
meat circles that there was a good deal of ground for the statements that 
were made from time to time. 
. While the Prime Minister, the Right Hon. W. F. Massey, and Sir Joseph 
Ward were in London in 1917 strong representations were made to them 
regarding the operations of the “ Meat Trust ” in New Zealand, and on their 
return the Prime Minister announced that a Royal Commission would be 
set up to inquire into the matter. Accordingly the Meat-export Trade 
Committee, consisting of sixteen members of the House of Representatives, 
was appointed on the 20th July, 1917, “to inquire into and report upon 
the present position and future prospects of the export meat trade of the 
Dominion, and more particularly the operations of the organization known 
as the American Meat Trust.” 
The Committee held twenty-three meetings, and examined twenty-nine 
witnesses, together with voluminous correspondence. The findings were 
inconclusive, but some important recommendations were made, and it is 
to be hoped that the Government will give effect to these by passing the 
necessary legislation. The most important of these recommendations 
were :— 
(2.) That the Government promote legislation generally (a) to control monopolies, 
( b ) to prevent unfair trading by freezing companies or shipping companies, and (c) to 
provide for issuing licenses to freezing-works and the business of meat-exporters ; 
(d) dealing with shipping as common carriers ; (e) making charges of carriers just and 
reasonable ; (/) preventing undue preference ; (gr) prohibiting pooling of freights and 
earnings ; and ( h) providing that common carriers shall print and exhibit schedules. 
(7.) That special care be taken to see that foreign firms and their agents, and also 
companies registered in New Zealand with small capital, which carry on large businesses 
by means of outside financial support, shall not escape taxation on the grounds that 
small, if any, profits are made on their trading in the Dominion. Provision should be 
made that such firms shall be taxed to an amount riot less than is paid by New Zealand 
firms not so financed or controlled. 
For muck of the information regarding the early history and develop¬ 
ment of the frozen-meat trade I am indebted to Messrs. Critchell and 
Raymond’s admirable work entitled “ A History of the Frozen-meat Trade,” 
and to the secretary of the Canterbury Frozen Meat Company. 
