The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-02-19 00:00:00

THE PRICE OF MEAT.

On Tuesday a deputation from the London Trades'
Council waited upon the Duke of Richmond and
Gordon at the Privy Council Office, to urge the
removal of restrictions on the importation of foreign
cattle, which, it was alleged, oaused the price of meat
to be maintained at an artificially high standard, and
made it impossible for thousands of Her Majesty's
subjects to purchase that azticle of food. The Duke of
Richmond, in reply, said he could assure the deputa-
tion he was much indebted to them for laying
their views before him. With regard to the
restrictions said to be put upon food, and the vexa-
tious manner in which the consumer was treated, it
so happened, from figures which he had been able
to refer to, that he had come to a different opinion
from the deputation on the nature of those restrictions
which had been placed upon the importation of foreign
cattle, The nu mer of importations, instead of having
decreased within a given period of years, had in-
creased; and, curiously enough, naturally taking a
great interest in all these matters, he read an article
in The nines of that day, where he found, under the
heading of the Cattle Trade, and dated Metropolitan
Cattle Market, February 14, what followed:—

_
"The foreign trade is undoubtedly lower, and sales slow.
The arrivals last week comprised 4,400 head, as against the
corresponding week of 1876, which comprised 3,860; in 1874,
4,340; in 1873, 3,730; and in 1872 only 3,610."
So that the restrictions had not had the effect of
preventing arrivals into English markets. Then
came the question of animals, which were in contact
with diseased animals' but which at the time were not
suffering apparently from the disease. They should
also be slaughtered, because, if not, they would go
throughout the country and spread the disease far and
wide. In 1875 there were found 8,000 beasts diseased
at Deptford, and 156,000 animals herded with them
were destroyed. If those animals had been allowed to
go through the country, the probability was that
considerable danger would have been incurred. He
had no desire to diffez from Professor Brown as to the
malignity of the disease. Just as there were mild types
of fever and other complaints in persons, so there were
mild types of the disease in cattle. The loss which
they stated would divert the trade, the importer not
fi9ding that it was remunerative to him to bring
animals to this country. Of course, if that were the
eves, it might be an argument in favour of their views.
But he did not think it was so. The importation of cattle
to this country continued in an incveasing ratio and had
increased for several years past. He was sorry to
say he could not hold out any hope of the foreign
trade being placed upon a similar footing to the Eng-
lish. Mr. Shipton.protested against a whole herd of
cattle being slaughtered because one was found by the
inspector to be affected. The disea3ed ones could be
branded and kept separate from the re6t. It was to
the interest of the cattle owners to keep up this special
monopoly. There were about ten large buyers who
held the market in their own hands by buying up
everything at Deptford. The Duke of Richmond
said he did not think the deputation would find
that the restrictions submitted to at the
time of the cattle plague would be submitted
to at the time of the foot and mouth disease.
After all, it was a question of supply and demand.
The importer would send his cattle in greater numbers
when there was a demand for them. The Duke added
that he was extremely obliged to the deputation for
putting the case before him, and regretted very much
the conclusions he had arrived at were not such as they
desired.