MEAT REFRIGERATING.

Patea Mail, Volume IX, Issue 1081, 3 September 1883, Page 2

MEAT REFRIGERATING.

TO THIS EDITOR. . Sir, —I see in last night’s Herald a long local on the West Coast Meat and Produce Export Company, which saj r s : “ A large number of Patea settlers will decline their support, on the ground that no definite arrangements have been, made with any of the large Companies for storage or shipment.’’ Now I should like to know who was the Herald's informant. I for one, have not seen anyone who has refused to take shares on that ground. Of course there are generally a lot of croakers when any now thing starts.

but in tin's case there arc very few. The se'tiers know that this is ihc only chance they have for getting rid of ilieir stock to advantage, for if outsiders buy, settlers cannot expect to get anything like full value. The Herald goes on to say : " Seeing there will .shortly be three Companies in operation in Wcllingr.cn, the settlers will be certain to receive the greatest benefits from the competition likely to ensue.” But I fail to see Ill’s, for it is not likely that the Companies will come this far for stock when they can get plenty in the Wairarapa and Manawatu districts ; and when they do come they will be sure to buy as cheaply as possible. Besides this j a few wealthy runholdcrs and merchants have almost a monopoly of the Wellington Company’s work-*, and it is almost impossible for anyone else to send slock home. These monopolists are not likely to give anything like full value for any stock (hey may have to buy in this district, as the cost of getting live stick from here, cither by land or water_ and the deterioration in value is too great. The Herald also says that it would be just as well if settlers before supporting smaller companies should look to the larger, as in these, if in any, good results will be shown. Bur I fail to sec what good it will do us looking to these Companies, it is not the Companies that make the money, but the shippers, and until we get refrigerating works f started here, we cannot expect to derive any benefit whatever from this source.

The Gear Company have offered to accommodate us with storage room in their hulk, so that difficulty is easily got over. The matter of getting room in the English vessels may be more difficult, but no doubt that will soon be overcome.—Yours, &c., : Batea, August 81: PitOGRRSS.