MEAT FREEZING WORKS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2594, 16 October 1915, Page 6

MEAT FREEZING WORKS

A BIG INCREASE

GOOD SEASON IN PROSPECT

That sonio people in New Zealand are looking forward to a largely-increased measure of productivity in tho raising of cattlo and sheep for meat export purposes is reflected in the largo number of moat freezing works that aro being erected in New Zealand at tho present timo. When it ■is stated that more freezing works, are in courso of construction , to-day in New Zealand (and this does not include those companies which have merely increased their cold storage, capacity) than havo been erected during tho previous decade, tho dimensions of this sudden devolopment will he realised. At present tho Dominion has 30 meat preserving works of a very fair average capacity. At this timo next year that. number will bo swelled to 41—a forty per cont, increase in. tho Slumber of works practically within twelvo months, and about twico as many works as exist in tho wholo of tho Commonwealth of Australia.

Mr. 11. G. Hill, general manager of tho Bristol and Dominions Producers' Association, Ltd., points out that there are at present nine now meat works being erectcd in tlio North Island and two jn the South. Those in courso of erection or whose construction is assured ftro a® follow: —Auckland: Horoitu (near Hamilton): Bay of Plenty; Smart Road (New : Plymouth); Wanganui (Christchuroh Meat Co.); Taihape; Kakariki (Wellington Moat Export Co.); Feilding; audGisbome. Those in,tho South number only two: Kaiapoi and Bolfast. _ There is sti'l another company said to be forming or already formed to erect works at Hicks Bay, right up at the East Coast.' This bay has been a favourable haven of shelter for soiling craft for many years, and is said to bo ; quito a safe anchorage in every wind except a dead easterly, which is only experienced once or twice a year. The multiplication in the nurnber of meat companies must mean competition or a very big' increase in tho stock raised for export. "Tlio fine season promised is staring evidence," says Mr. Hill, "that this Ji;crease could be mado. This year excellent rains havo had a wonderful effect on tho country right from Otaki to Auckland, and there is no reason why we should not command such seasons every year. Jt conld bo done, if tho farmers could be thoroughly awakened to. the wonders that can bo achieved hv the use of fertilisers—fertilisers which in some countries make one acre produce as much as fivo in this country. Tho trouble just now is that most of the farmers aro doing very well indeed, and aro content to let well alone." Mr. Hill, who has been travelling the North Island for nearly two months, brings back glowing reports.as to the prospects of the present season. Ho had been travelling up and down New Zealand for twenty years, but had never seen it looking so well as, this spring. In the Waikato and round Auckland and tlio Thames good rains had been experienced, and tho country was looking like a garden. Portions of the Waikato wero looking every bit as good as the best land in Taranaki, and even in woll-stockcd paddocks there was a velvety covering of grass well over one's boots. As tho result of this opulcnc. the milk returns for August were 4Cf per cent, better than thoso of the corresponding month of last year, and the returns for September were 100 per cent, better. The draining of the Piako swamp had'effected wonders at tho back of Paeroa. There wero other swamp lands in that district which coil Id be dealt with in tho same successful manner. The lambing season had been a uniformly good on© throughout the North Island.