THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 15, 8 July 1893, Page 7

THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Your correspondent “Scot” seems to think I attach too much importance to the operations of the Southland Frozen Meat Co., and gives other causes which have contributed to the general improvement observable throughout the country. In his reference to impi’oved agricultural machinery he is right. The drain-plough, the double-furrow, binder, and traction-engine are all tending to increase and cheapen productions, no matter what the productions may be —whether grain or sheep. There is no agricultural implement that has been of greater benefit to the large area of heavy* clamp, retentive terrace soils than the drain plough. I3y its use these heavy lands have been dried and warmed, the spring growth hastened, and the autumn growth extended from one to two months. On these damp soils—lying on a close subsoil as they do —the drain-plough has probably lengthened the period of grass-growing from about six months up to nearly, if not quite, nine months out of the twelve. If has also improved the quality and quantity of the grain yield on these formerly cold soils. This increased production is yet going mainly in the direction of keeping more sheep, more wool and mutton--growing. Why? .Because the farmers have found that it answers them much better than exclusive grain-growing. There are not a great many farmers in this district who have done well by grain-growing, but a goodly number have lost time and money by it, and hence the reason of so many landowners now turning their attention to sheep, It is not argued that the cultivation of grain will decrease. With larger flocks more white crop w ill be necessary for the purpose of of obtain*

: ing straw and chaff for wintering stock —the grain as hithdrto going into’ the market for sale and export. The improvement in the system of farming the soil, together with the general use of improved machinery, is resulting in an enlarged production of wool and’mutton. ’ Had sheep remained ' at. the low: prices of a few years since—practically without a market—would farmers have aimed at 'sheep-breeding in the way Or to the extent they have done ? : I take it the production of sheep world not have been so great. However, a great many sheep were in the country and seemed- to invite buyers, who turned up but slowly. The sale of stock in those days was a one-sided matter, and the grower was pretty much left to the tender mercies of the buyer. It was under circumstances of this kind that the Southland Frozen Meat Company was projected by a number of gentlemen. They jumped the hedge, passed through, or over it, into an unknown ■ field of enterprise, and with local capital. We beard nothing then of Nelson Bros, or the Ocean Beach proprietary, or indeed of any foreign capital being invested in the frozen meat trade. The business was then much more uncertain than now. It was left to the local company, with all the drawbacks and risks of starting a new concern, to purchase mutton here, where it was not wauted for consumption, and ship it to a market where it was wanted and saleable, ana circulate the monetary returns. amongst the sheep-growers, who as a consequence have done well, and not a few of them are independent sheep-farmers to-day. If this change for the better is not largely due—in the first instance—to the Southland Frozen Meat Co., I must ’ again- repeat it would be interesting to hear from whence it comes. That the exportation of frozen meat will expand there is little doubt, as at present prices it is all round the most profitable production of the country, Nor is there any cause to fear that considerable numbers will not come forward.

In conclusion allow me to add, a tribute of honour is due to the inventor of the drain plough in Southland, I have heard it called the “salvation” of the country. That it is proving itself a most valuable implement on the heavy and cold soil#—which so largely prevail in this district—is beyond all kind of doubt. —Yours, etc , Gbazxeb.