Frozen Meat Conference.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 59, 6 September 1895, Page 2

Frozen Meat Conference.

IMPORTANT TO FARMERS.

(Per Press Association). Wellington, Sept. 5. Mr Nathan moved the resolutions of the Provisional Committee, drawn up some days ago and already telegraphed. Mr C. Pharazyn, who was iu the chair, said that undoubtedly there were difficulties in the way of the trade, but he had little doubt good results would ensue from the deliberations of tbe confer - euce. Mr Orbell, in seconding the adoption, of the resolutions, said there was a good deal in Mr Nathan's scheme with which he did not agree, but he admitted that the frozen meat industry, next to woolgrowing, was the most important one in New Zealand. He agreed that a Board should be set up to regulate the supply and demand. If the freezing companies federated it would not be to the interests of all parties, as the price of sheep would be maintained at a regular price. In this colony they had the best sheep in the world, and growers desired to make colonial mutton known in the Home markets. The meat, however, should not be rushed on the market. He thought if the shipping companies trading with New Zealand declined to reduce the freights they should apply to some Home companies, which he declared would only be too glad to run after them. To his mind the freight should be reduced all the year round, instead of being raised from to Id at certain periods. Mr McTntosh, of the Western Farmers' Association, thought little good would result from taking sheep. What was wanted was a large co-operative association in which the sheepgrowers would be shareholders. This association should ignore middlemen, and should deal, not only in England, but also on the Continent. The Hon. Mr Fergus, representing the Otago Agricultural Association, and Mr Begg, of the Dunedin Freezing Company strongly opposed a sheep tax, and declared that every farmer in Otago was opposed to it. The latter suggested that if the freezing companies in New Zealand erected large cooling chambers they would find it to be a great advantage. To establish a company such as that proposed would enrage retailers in England. Mr Begg further said there was great objection to Government interference, and the proposal to impose a general tax per head on sheep throughout the colony to achieve the object of the scheme proposed. He would move a further amendment later on. Mr Nelson, Hawkes Bay, said Mr Nathan's scheme was utterly unworkable. In his opinion the whole difficulty was due to want of combination on the part of many of the freezing companies. He pointed out how the Home market was upset by the spasmodic shipments in 1894 and the beginning of 1895, and contended if shipments were properly regulated the bulk of the difficulty would be removed. Mr C. Pharazyn, Wairarapa, said his enquiries in England showed that a very large quantity of indifferent meat was sent Home. The standard in Smithfield was so high that what might be considered here a verg good price was there a very indifferent one. Mr Booth, Wairarapa, dwelt on the necessity of regulating shipments and increased storage accommodation. Sir J. Hall, Canterbury, strongly opposed Mr Nathan's scheme. Messrs Litchfield, Marlborough ; Dalrymple, Rangitikei ; Chaytor, Marlborough ; Kirkbride, Auckland ; BidweU, Milward, and Bracly (Wellington) all spoke against Mr Nathan's scheme. Mr Nathan, having replied, asked leave to withdraw his scheme, the sense of the meeting being against it. Leave was unanimously granted. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Messrs Nathan and Orbell for the trouble they had taken in the matter. Resolutions were submitted by Mr Begg and were then put before the meeting. The first resolution— " That in the opinion of this Conference any attempt to establish a monopoly of the frozen meat industry of the colony would be both undesirable and impracticable "— was carried on the voices without discussion. The second resolution was—" That in order to give confidence to buyers, and to secure as far as possible uniformity in the quality of the meat exported, it is desirable that the freezing companies in the colony should agree to a uniform system of grading." Discussion proceeded up till 5 p.m., when tbe Conference adjourned till 10 a.m. to-morrow. Later. At the Frozen Meat Conference Mr Begg, Dunedin, moved an amendment to tbe resolution that it is undesirable to establish a monopoly in the frozen meat trade ; that a uniform system of grading be adopted ; that in order to regulate supplies and prevent a glut in the market it would be advantageous if provision were made for cool storage in the colony. Mr T. McEenzie, Dunedin, seconded the amendment.