The Feilding Star, Oroua & Kiwitea Counties Gazette. Published Daily. WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 1895. THE FEOZEN MEAT INDUSTRY.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 255, 1 May 1895, Page 2

The Feilding Star, Oroua & Kiwitea Counties Gazette. Published Daily. WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 1895. THE FEOZEN MEAT INDUSTRY.

The scheme proposed by Mr David J. Nathan in connection with the Frozen Meat Trade and its expansion, possesses some good feature.? and we believe that before many years are over that it will be adopted with some modifications. Mr Nathan aug-'gests-tiiat a company be formed to take over all the existing freezing companies in the colony, the wuole to be worked as one Goucern under one Management, the presenit eshare- . holders to rank as shareholders in the new company, the capital of which would be from two to four

millions. In addition to this, in order to provide sufficient liquid as sets to meet emergencies arising out of the extended operations it is proposed to raise £2,000,000 at Home on debentures puaranteed by the colony at 3£ per cent, the interest and sinking hind to be secured by a tax not exceeding- 3d per head on the flocks of the colony. This tax, if levied up to its maximum, would not represent in 'twenty years the difference between the price of sheep last year and this, while it is believed the mere establishment of the company would send up sheep to a value more than four times the amount of the tax. In seeking the support of the State it is not contemplated that its guarantee should be given without ample security being- offered. By the reduction in working expenses the sheepfarmer would save a halfpenny per pound on his wool at least. As far as the general taxpayer is concerned, he can offer no objection, for, while he would receive indirect benefit by the sympathetic expansion of trade iollwing the impetus givpn to the funning industry, he would not be Ciillcd upon to pay the interest on the guaranteed debentures, 'out would only reap benefit; from the scheme. The tax would fall solely on die shoulders of those who r?ap the direct benefit. The author ot the scheme claims that though it is comprehensive and bold, it possess potentialities of success almost beyond present day calculation. We believe with him that ins adoption would at once infuse new life into the pejpic throughout the whole colony, and at a time when everyjindustry is abnormally depressed Under its influence the sheepfarmer would gain heart, and every industry awaken in unison. The colony would also be sent to the forefront among the producing nations of the world. We also agree ths'.t the scheme is opportune and capable of accomplishment. What is required is that the sheepf'armers should discuss the sub ject from every standpoint until they have madfi themselves thoroughly familiar with it in its various respects. ! hat there are many obstacles in the wav is admitted, but none of them are fo formidable but what they can be removed by the exercise of combined effort guMc-i by a-.-und commercial knowledge and experience.