THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 12, 17 June 1893, Page 5

THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE

TO THE EDITOR. Sin, —I read your leader of the 10th inst. with much interest. In advocating the support of the Southland Frozen Meat Co., jou arc doing simple justice to an institution that has been of the greatest benefit to the agricultural and pastoral interests of Southland. Had it not been for the existence and operation of the company for the last ten or eleven years, what would Jun e been the value of fat sheep during that period? Prices would have remained at what they were when the company commenced to buy and export mutton, and it is hardly necessary to tell the settlers of this district what that was, or what it meant. Mutton was then at such a low price that some farmers went out of sheep breeding altogether.- To the ready market at remunerative values—mainly created by the company’s operations and export of mutton — is very much due to the greatly improved position of the settlers now, in comparison with how they sL.od ten or twelve years ago. It was often said by farmers and graziers at that time they would fake almost any price “to get out of the land.”—they were sick of it, and felt they were only Avasting their time in Avorking and remaining upon it. Thev do not speak in that strain uoav. They liavo found that a good and profitable liA T ing may be made on the land —that in the production of avool and mutton money can be made, and at the same time improAC their holdings. They have proved and knoAV that the land is worth so much to themselves, and if they cannot get that, (hen it is good enough te keep, and therefore is not parted Avith -excepting at fair A'alue. This change in the prospects of farmers and graziers has taken place Avithiu the last feAV years, and if it is not due to the irnproA'ed A'alue of sheep—brought about in the first instance by the operations of the Southland Frozen Meat Co.—then it Avould be very interesting to hear from what cause it springs. What is it •tliat is so rapidly bringing Southland to the front at the present moment ? Its large production of wool and mutton, with its great capabilities of still larger production. The climate, the growth of grass and turnips, •the absence of serious drought, and the sturdy condition of the. flocks, together with the lucratiA'e nature of sheep farming, all point to an increasing yield of wool and mutton. In these changes and improA'emonts in the agricultural and pastoral interests of Southland, the Frozen Meat Co. has played an active part, and it is not too much to ask that those Avhohave reaped the benefit of improved markets and circumstances, should still further assist the company in its larger ■operations. The Frozen Meat Co. lucre just completed one of the finest and most cheaply Averted freezing establishments in the colony at the Mataura Falls, the water of Avhicli supplies the motive poAver —thus saving, in the purchase of fuel, several thousands of pounds per annum. This in itself should mean a handsome item of profit. It is to he hoped that in a country Avherc sheep-farmers prevail, and are the most influential class,, ■together Avith the business men of Invercargill, the assistance required to keep these Avorks in full operation Aviil net long bo wanting, not only for the benefit of the shareholders and others interested, but also far the general welfare of Southland. The Southland Frozen Meat Co. avhs not got up or promoted by a party of officeseekers. It lias been, and is yet, a genuine, co-operatiA e, and exporting institution, purchasing and shipping to other markets the most easily raised and profitable production of this part of IS'cav Zealand. The finance companies holding large areas of land, Avhich liaA'e been improved in value, and made more saleable by the profitable nature of sheep farming—OAving to the export of mutton- • .should assist the Freezing Co. in the expansion of their business as exporters of sheep, and the more so as the Company’s Mataura establishment promises to become A'cry A'aluable, OAving to the cheap rate at Avhich the carcase eau be frozen and prepared for ■ export. From another point of vicAV, the company deserves such support as it may require, and that is the prevention of anything like a monopoly of the market arising. Monopolies are dangerous trade features in any place, and generally run counter to the interests of the people at large. It is not intended to say That a monopoly is aimed at by any party in Southland, but its prevention now is a much simpler and easier matter, than would be its breaking doivn after it became established -and had control of the markets Yours, etc., Geaziee.