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Hokitika Guardian, 23 December 1921, Page 2

Tub frozen meat trade is tho principal industry of the Dominion, and just now the Government is endeavouring to organise a moat pool, in order to put export and sale on a stable basis. The matter is of far-reaching importance to New Zealand and its satisfactory adjustment so far at, trading is concerned will he of great moment. Speaking to tfie Wellington Rost on the subject of the prospects of the New Zealand meat market, Mr L. C. Ballantino, of Ballantino and Co.. London, stated that although the Imperial Government had sold all its stocks of beef, mutton and land,, this meant merely a change of ownership. The meat was still held by sellers and had not yet gone into consumption. It would still go against the privatclvnwned New Zealand meat. The stock remaining in England of present season’s New Zealand lamb, combined with Australian fresh arrivals was sufficient to last until March of 1922. Consequently lie could not hold out much 1 hope for high prices being realised for the 1921-22 season’s New Zealand meat. Whereas for lamb, the opening price last season was lOd per lb on the hooks in New Zealand, the present parity of London prices could promise only a maximum of 4d per lb for best quality for the coming season. He saw no reason New Zealand should not continue to hold a foremost place in Unfrozen mutton and lamb market, pro vided efforts were made in the right direction towards this end 1 . He thought New Zealand should concentrate on getting regular shipments and reduced freights and should endeavoui to avoid loss and friction by improving the method of weighing and standardising the grading. Reports about the rough handling of tlic New Zealand frozen meat in England, had, Mr Ballantine considered, been much exaggerated. There were isolated instances of the meat being bjidly handled, hut on the whole there was not much to take exception to. What did occur could he largely eliminated if the freezing companies in New Zealand took steps to do awav with the multitude of sub-marks which necessitated interminable rehandling. 'Referring -to

delayed discharge of meat from steamers in London, while a lower rate of freight would undoubtedly he welcome, and indeed was necessary, yet tho shipping companies, said Mr Ba* • lantine, had his sympathy in respect to the long delays vessels suffered in their discharge, ranging from six to eight weeks, on account of the cold stores being full. This condition, however, would not rule next year, and that fact should he borne in mind when considering the question of a reduction of freights

The big bazaar which opened in the Drill Shed yesterday, and is now running very successfully, promises to be something of a record ill the way of raising money. This pleasing result will lie attributable to the zeal and assiduity with which the promoters and the workors have gone about the task. Aj--pnrentl.v tnev entered on their task with the feeling that what was worth doing, was worth doing well. For some months now tho workers have been hard at work by various devices accumulating funds for the objects in view. Tin- object lis one in which the town might well take some interest seeing that the building which the funds are being raised is to complete, is one of the most conspicuous edifices in town. The Roman Catholic community whim is concentrating at present on tlu- completion of their large now chapel certainly deserves general support from the public in their effort. Although a small community in tho aggregate, the townsg'eopkj invariably rally to help one another. There has been evidence of this in the past and in this instance, it is not likely there will he any exception to the rule. The large and commodious chapel which is to be completed was begun in the pre-war days. Its dimensions was an

evidence that the promoters had faith in the future of Hokitika. Tho war camo along, and liko other folk tho Roman Catholic people stayed their hand so far as their own affairs were concerned, and united in tho general movement to raise funds for various patriotic purposes. In that irjespedt they did signal service on different oceasins, and this valuable assistance should not he forgotten now, but be , remembered to their credit. Hokitika with its promising future i« going to jutif.v the faith of the promoters in undertaking the erection of the new church, and wo trust the well sustained effort now being put forward will assist tho Church Committee to accomplish its object. What is being done by the present effort should bo something of an inspiration to other church committees which have building rpogranimes in mind to unitedly exert themselves and so achieve the objects which we are sure are so near to their hearts.