PROPOSED FAEEZING WORKS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 480, 6 July 1912, Page 5

PROPOSED FAEEZING WORKS.

MEETING AT TE KUITI.

COMMITTEE TO REPORT. /*

A meeting for the purpose of discussing the establishing of a freezing works in the district was held in the County Chambers on Wednesday evening. Mr R. M. president of the A. and P. Association occupied the chair, and there was a representative gathering of settlors. The chairman in explaining the ob-

jects of the meeting, said they were all aware of tha dissatisfaction e;dst-

ing throughout the district owing to being unable to obtain a standard price for fat sheep. It was totally impossible to obtain a standard price for, say, a sixty pound wether, and

the market fluctuations were a seriou3 handicap to settlers generally. In all other districts buyers visited the various localities, and obtained sheep from the farms giving a standard price. He considered the time had arrived when the matter should bo gone into

thoroughly and steps taken to place matters on a better footing. He would suggest that , a committee be appointed to go thoroughly into the position and report. M J. Boddie agreed with the chairman. It was a question as to whether the time was rips. That had to be answered in the same manner as other questions, by trying. . He referred to the starting of the butter factory which now promised to be the most successful concern in the district. The speaker advocated combination by the settlers. If the suggested stepa were taken they would at least establish a market. Nothing but good could result from their efforts. The freezing works must come. He moved—"That in the opinion of this meeting the time baa arrived when steps should be taken to establish freezing works in a central position in the King Country, that being, the natural centre of a great extent of the best pastoral country in New Zealand." Major Lusk seconded the motion. It was, perhaps, early, but that was better than'late, and could always be improved. A committee would require to be set up to collect information as to the quantity of stock to be dealt with. When the number was considered to be sufficient the project could proceed.Mr G. Berry said he agreed with the idea of a freezing works and the setting up of a committee to acquire data. He did not favour establishing a works on the railway, as there would be too much handling. He considered the freezing works should be established close to deep water so that as

little transhipping as possible would take place. He proposed an amendment to the effect that a committee should be SBt up to' acquire information and report to a future meeting. Mr H. Voyce seconded the amendment.

Mr Boddie said there was probably no difference between those who supported the amendment and himself He merely wished to affirm the principle of establishing a freezing works. Mr Mostyn Jones combatted the idea of meat being loaded from the works into the ship. There was not ope instance of it in New Zealand. He considered the desirable thing was to establish the works in the most acessible centre.

Major Lusk agraed wtih th 9 previous speaker. There was no possibility of establishing the works straight away, and a committee would require to be appointed in any case. Mr Voyce said he understood Mr Borthwick was willing to erect a works at Kawhia as soon as there was sufficient stock in the district. The question as to whether the concern would be proprietary or co-operative would have to be considered. The time could not be far distant for establishing a freezing works. The roada were bad now, but' if they were going to continue in the same state, the . settlers had better sell out.

Mr Ross said a committee should be established. He also thought the Waikato farmers should be approached regarding the starting of a works at Frankton. If later on it was considered desirable to establish a concern at Kawhia that could be done without conflicting with the other. Messrs Keighley, Hardy and the chairman thought the question of site should he left out. The cqmmittee could report on the matter. It was decided to put the motion and amendment as separate motions. Both motions were carried unanimously, and the following committee was elected:—Messrs C. J. Ryan, Taumarunui; E. Moore, Mahcenui; W. Williams, Ohura; Shaw, Kawhia; Stanley, Marokopa; Ross, Puketiti; J. Sellars and H. Voyce, Mairoa; J. J. Thomasen, Arapae; G. Berry, J. Bcddie, W. Gadsby, Briscoe, Somerville and Major Lusk, Te Kuiti; with Mr Braithwaite as secretary.

Contributions were collected to defray preliminary expenses, the sum of £4 being received.