CO-OPERATIVE FREEZING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 453, 3 April 1909, Page 3

CO-OPERATIVE FREEZING.

PROPOSED WORKS FOR WELLINGTON PROVINCE. FOXTON SNGGESTED AS THE SITE. Some days ago a meeting convened by the Wairarapa and Bush branches of the Farmers’ Union was held at Mastertou to discuss a proposal to establish co-operative freezing works. The meeting, after discussing questions concerning capital, size of works, etc., decided to leave the site of the proposed works and the appointment of a provisional directorate in abeyance till an effort was made to secure the co-operation of farmers on this side of the range in order to make the venture as comprehensive as possible. A meeting of Manawatu farmers was accordingly held at Palmerston on Thursday afternoon when two delegates from the Wairarapa were present to explain the proposals. There was a small but representative attendance ot farmers and Mr J. Balsillie (chairman of the Palmerston branch of the Farmers’ Union) presided. Mr J. C. Cooper, of the Pahialua branch of the Farmers’ Uuiou. said the site of the proposed works had been left in abeyance in order to make the movement as comprehensive as possible, embracing the whole Wellington province and beyond if possible, especially Hawke’s Bay. If the Manawatu farmers would join in, it was proposed to leave the question of site to be settled by the first statutory meeting of the company. The general feeling in the Wairarapa was that the works should be established on the seaboard as works inland had not in the past proved successful. Mr J. P. Lomax, a shareholder in the Gisborne Freezing Works, said the Masterton people were in favour of the Wellington site. Mr Whittaker said it was a mistake not to have had works at Foxton years ago. All the diary companies in Taranaki sent their product either to Patea or New Plymouth. Sending to Wellington the local dairy companies had to pay 6d for the storage of export butter and 7d the first month and afterwards on other butter. That was a heavy item. It would pay to send to Foxton. He pointed out that laud in a suitable position in Wellington could not be purchased ; it would have to be leased. Mr Anderson thought a committee should be set up to investigate. In his opinion Foxton was the most suitable place. There were a number of companies in Wellington and to compete succesfully with them the new works should be in a more desirable place still. He did not think the Manawatu had anything at all to gain by joining the East Coast and the matter should be very carefully considered before this was doneThe proposed Leviu-Greatford railway would still further increase the suitability of Foxton. After some further discussion it was considered impossible to set up a committee from the limited number in the room. No resolution was passed, it being understood that the matter will be further discussed at the annual meeting of the Palmerston branch of the Farmers’ Union on Saturday and that Mr Balsillie will attend a conference to be held at Woodville on the subject next week.