asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture if he will give consideration to the advisability of assisting groups of farmers who are anxious to send dead pork direct to London and other British markets by means of providing either on loan or on hire suitable crates so that carcases could be hung all the way, and thus avoid damage by handling in transhipment; and if he would also take up with the carrying companies the important question of the free return of crates.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - TRANSPORT OF DEAD PORK.
In view of the fact that a private firm has set up business as Transitaires at the North Wall, their crating service having been in operation since the end of last month; and that another firm has made arrangements for starting a similar service at Rosslare Port, present requirements in regard to the crating of pork carcases would seem to be adequately met. These two ports are the principal outlets for pork, with the exception of Cork, where the carcases are hung on board the steamers.
In regard to the concluding portion of the question, the present service consists of the provision by the Railway Company of well-ventilated hanging waggons, in which the carcases are sent to the port, where they are transferred to crates of the approved Dutch type in which they are conveyed to Smithfield Market. The cost of this service, which includes all labour connected with the transfer of the carcases to the crates, and the carriage of crates to and from the port to London, together with depreciation and wear and tear on the crates, is 2/4 per cwt., which is considered reasonable. In addition, special through rates have been fixed by the railway companies on the net weight of the consignments from the sending stations to London. In view of these arrangements, the question of asking the railway companies to return crates free does not arise.
Is the Minister satisfied that he has done all that is necessary for this new trade which represents a revenue within six months of about £4,000,000 for this country?
Mr. HOGAN
That is a big issue. As to the specific question which the Deputy asks, I think the arrangements are very satisfactory. I think the farmers prefer these arrangements to having to supply the crates and take the risk with the crates themselves. The Deputy will note that a service such as this—a service which gives exactly the same crates as the Dutch used to get—is only costing 2s. 4d. per cwt. After a very careful examination of this matter I am satisfied that the farmers themselves could hardly do it much more cheaply. I think the charge is reasonable and I believe that the farmer exporters prefer to avail themselves of the services of this company, and the other company which operates in Rosslare, rather than to buy the crates themselves and to take the risks incidental to them.
The question I asked was, not that the farmers should buy the crates themselves but that they should get them from the Government who should provide them. Might I ask who are Gordon and Co. of the North Wall and who authorised Mr. Dulanty of London to organise this trade?
Mr. HOGAN
It does not matter.
The Deputy can put that down as a separate question.