FROZEN MEAT TRADE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2612, 6 November 1915, Page 6

FROZEN MEAT TRADE

ITS ORIGIN IN THE NORTH ISLAND INTERESTING HISTORY Tlie frozen meat trado has been going on so long and so successfully wo aro f.pt to forget those who originatd it, and without whom the trado in tho North Island might have been delayed considerably. We have, says the "Farmers' Union Advocate," been handed a copy of the "Manawatu Herald," of Friday, June, 1881. This paper was published by Mr. G. W. Russell and iiis brother, the former of whom is now Minister of Public Health. In tho issue. mentioned there appeared the following letter written by Sir Walter Buchanan before he was elected to Parliament, to Mr. John M'Lernian, who, as manager of the Aroua Downs Estate, was very keou to got tho industry started. Ever since that do,y Sir Walter Buchanan 'has been olosely connected with this industry. We should like, the "Advocate" adds, to see this letter framed and kept as a record of tho doiugs of tlioso days, by Sir Walter Buchanan and his friends:— "Tupurupuru, Carterton, "Wairarapa, 7th June, 1881. "Dear Sir, —I have no doubt that you have watched with interest the progress already made in tho export of foreigji meat from tho Australian colonies, and tho steps which have lately been taken to form a company in Dunedin for the same purpose. Ever since tho Mortgage Company of Sydney com" mencod their experiments, I have had a firm belief that a great increase ill the price of produce through this means was only a question of time. Tlie P?otos and other shipments havo now thoroughly proved the safety and profit of tho frozen meat trade, can there bo any doubt as to whether tlio_ settlers of the Wellington Provincial district ought to take tho necessary steps at once to make several shipments (mere or less) of surplus stock next summer and autumn? The past and present prices of stock in Otago havo been, and'now are, fan higher than ours, and yet a ship is now being fitted up in Glasgow for the New Zealand and Australian Land Company, to load . a cargo in December or January. This latter company has nothing to do with the company I first mentioned. But not only in meat is our opening much better than theirs, but with our thousands of acres of uncleared bush lands,

what an onening for our dairy produce? This lat.ter will eventually, I feel convinced, bo of greater importance than even our surplus meat. I have been assured by the New .Zealand Shipping Comnanv and by the agent for Shaw, Savill and Co., that plenty of shipping facilities will be forthcoming as soon as settlers show that they wer.e in earnest by proceeding to erect the necessary freezing works ashore. From infornjation obtained by the proposed Otago Company the cost of machinery and build-

intrs wonld not, I think, exceed £10,000, and there ought to be no difficulty in raisin? this sum among settlers and business men. Until the West Coast railway is opened the freezing depot ivould_ liavo to bo near Wellington, and at'some future timo we could —if quantity of surplus justified—havo ono in each district. We have called a public meeting here at Carterton, for 22nd inst., to discuss the whole question, appoint a committee to collect information,' interview a meeting of business men in Wellington, and issue prospectus of proposed company. Tho abovo are merely the rough ideas of myself and two or three others, and of course are subject to any alteration that may be thought advisable. Co-opera-tion between the East and West Coasts it at present a necessity, as neitlior district has a sufficiently large surplus to act independently with any chanco of success. Committee or committeos from your side should meet ours if possible in Wellington. I would be glad to know ydur opinions generally on the matter as soon as possible, as no time should bo lost. "Copies of- this lett-or have been sent to Messrs. F. Jackson, Wanganui; J. Stovens and R. Hammond, Bulls; David Peat and Wm. Lowes, Nukumam;. Lysagt, Hawera; Moore and Currie and Freeman Jackson, Wanganui; J. A, Baillie, New Plymouth; Owen and l Let-hbridge, Wangaehu. "Yours faithfully, "W.'O. BUCHANAN;"President Wairarapa Pastoral Society."

There were, of course, many others who helped him in. this matter; but like Thomas Bryclon in Otago, and John Grigg, in Canterbury, Sir Walter Buchanan was head and shoulders above all in Wellington, going, as ho did, at his own expense to Chicago, and paying several visits to London in the interests of the promoters. It will be seen, concludes the "Advocate," how much the farmers have to thank the Grand Old Man of the Wairarapa.