PIGS ON THE PLAINS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4408, 1 May 1922, Page 3

PIGS ON THE PLAINS.

BACON FACTORY WANTED.

A NGATEA PROPOSAL.

That the pig business is considered a profitable one on the . Hauraki Plains was evidenced at a meeting of, the Ngatea branch of the N.Z. Farmers’ Union on Saturday, Mr Davidson presiding, Mr Davidson said that the- number of pigs carted over the ratepayers' roads to be cured elsewhere appeared to be out of all reason. He urged that the N-Z. Meat-packing and Bacon Company Should be asked to put a bacon factory on the plains. The factory could be built to dep.l also with store cattle. He moved that the company be written to, asking them to erect a factory at Ngatea, in connection with the proposal; Mr Hayward-, in seconding, said that there were ample pigs on the Plains for the purpose. A Taranaki .man had said Ngatea was an ideal place for a factory, which should easily pay for itself. Mr R Burke thought 'they were asking for something in a very hard time. If the Union asked the company to put a factory at. Ngatea the settlers should support the company, as there was another company buying in the district, Mr N. Burke supported the previous speaker.

Mr McDuff spid that if it paid a. company to buy the pigs on the Plains ,cart them to Hikutaia, and train them to Palmerston North', it should be worth while putting a factory on the Plains. The farmers themselves, he thought, might be able to build a factory. Mr Davidson maintained that the farmers putting a plant in would be a disaster. Going in opposition to the present, company would cut Jhe prices so that the concern would hot pay,- The farmers would have to wait too long for the returns. Mr Andrews asked if a bacon-cur ing factory could not be run in conjunction with a dairy factory.

Mr McDuff said the Dairy Company had declined to do that.

Mr Shultz supported Mr Davidson in so far as to ask t'he bacon company’s officials to address the settlers at Ngatea. He thought the settlers could do far better on their own, and if the Plains settlers pulled out the company would be the loser, and not the settlers. Mr R. Burke urged that Mr Baron, of the Bacon Company, should be asked to address a meeting at Ngatea. Mr Davidson’s proposal was carried.

It was also decided to ask Mr Gorringe, of the Ruakura State Farm, to lecture at Ngatea.