PROPOSED NEW INDUSTRY FOR FOXTON.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 458, 8 May 1909, Page 2

PROPOSED NEW INDUSTRY FOR FOXTON.

We have in recent years in New Zealand been somewhat proud of, and have spent a good deal of money in fostering our Tourist Department. The variety of wonderful sights which the Dominion affords to the general sight-seer and globe trotter have proved a great attraction to many of the world's rich idlers, as also to a few of its scientific enquirers. The money that has been spent in popularising our scenic possessions may or may not have been well spent, the discussion of that is not the object of the present article, but we do assert that the development of our natural industries along right lines will be more effective in building up the bulwarks of our loved Dominion, than any development of ecstatic appreciation of the marvellous. We are not sordid enough to advocate the deification of the merely mercenary at the | expense of the beautiful and aesthetic, but we do contend that where nature has afforded facilities for material prosperity on economic Hues, every advantage should be taken to use these to the best purpose. This fact is borne in upon us when the discussion ot such a proposal as the establishment of freezing works at the Mauawatu Heads is brought home to us. That works on the co-operation principle among the farmers of this side of the country if economically managed would be remunerative goes without saying. In Christchurch, in the South, and Gisborne in the North the direct effect of the establishment of such works was to raise the value of sheep two shillings per head, while the indirect advantages to the places named, and other places as well, are too numerous to specify in this brief article on the subject. It is sufficient for our present purpose to point out that what has been an advantageous experience in other centres may also be enjoyed here. We have said that the economic principle properly perceived and assiduously carried out is an important factor in the success of such an enterprise. Now, where can this principle be more effectively put into practice in relation to the freezing industry than would be the case by the selection of a site between Foxtou and the Manawatu Heads. The several points of advantage will be seen in the following, the accessibility of such a site to the very large and important stock raising districts of Rangitikei, Manawatu, and Horowheuua by road and from districts beyond these boundaries by rail, while the opening of a stock route—a perfectly practical ■proposal—over the range would afford an outlet from the Wairarapa more convenient than the railing of stock either to Wellington on the one hand or Woodville on the other. Then there is the offer by the Foxtou Harbour Board of a free site of sufficient area to meet all the requirements of the proposed company, which would be an important saving in initial expense of probably many thousands of pounds. This advantage of course of such an offer is contingent upon its suitability in other respects. A free site under some circumstances might be a very serious mistake, and might laud a company into a perpetual recurring expenditure which might make the site ultimately a very expensive one. Such however is not the case and can never be the case in reference to the proposed site near Foxtou, for it is practically on the sea-board and within an easy distance from the ocean going vessel which would be lying at anchor just a short distance from the works, and within easy and practical reach of same by a system of large service. The freedom from heavy harbour charges and dues as compared with the port of Wellington, for instance, would also be an economic saving of no small value, while the safety of shipping would be completely assured by the shelter the island of Kapati would afford in the event of stormy weather conditions. Taking these several facts into consideration it must be apparent to the least instructed mind that the port of Foxton would be the most servicable and economic at present available. As compared with Wanganui where there has never been any hitch in loading frozen carcases, Foxton must commend itself as being much superior. It is satisfactory to know that Mr Newman M.P., is exercising every energy to have the Foxton site an accomplished fact, and so far as we can see the next important fact to be considered by the people of Foxton and surrounding districts is to subscribe largely lor shares in the new company conditionally to the Foxtou site being adopted.