The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1914. PROPOSED FARMERS’ FREEZING WORKS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 50, 28 February 1914, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1914. PROPOSED FARMERS’ FREEZING WORKS.

ft seems more than probable that the oft-discussed scheme to provide a co-operative farmers’ meat works for [this district will shortly become an | accomplished fact, for, owing to the | partial destruction of the JPateafreezing works by lire, right in the I flush of the season, the fact that (Waiiara cannot cope with the whole (of the stock offering, is being forced {home to settlers, and it is widely | realised that some steps must be Jtaken to meet the growing wants of jibe farmers of this district. For la number of years the idea of the erection of up-to-date freezing works has been in the minds of settlers, but j those interested in the formation of such a company have been hold hack because the New Plymouth harbor was not ready to deal with the steamers necessary for the export trade. Air Comiett, chairman of the Harbor Board, has now stated that the Board will be in a position to take in ocean-going steamers within the next twelve months, and this will probably lie officially stated at the next I meeting. The road is now clear fori the formation of a company to carry! on such works, and very extensive and strong support from all purls of Taranaki is promised. Those who are taking a prominent part in the promotion propose that the scheme shall be of a provincial nature, so that the whole district may benefit, and it will be left for a meeting to discuss the question of site and such it her necessary particulars. At the present time a great quantity of stock is being sent through to Wellington

from the Ta Shape district, after be-] iug bold ui) for a ~m,sidcrahle time, and in our own district settlors -state that they have been informed that the Waitara works eanuot guarantee to take their sheep tor a fortnight or three weeks from the present time. Many leading men in different parts „t Taranaki who are interested in the meat business, have expressed their view that the time lias now eertainlv arrived to deal with the matter for the benefit of all branches of the business, and it is sue.rested that the company to he formed should be a strong one with a capital of, say, £100,01)0. Then 1 is no apparent reason why such a scheme should not he a great success. In,other parts

of the Dominion farmers freezing works have proved of inestimable value, and coming near home we have the example of the Patea company. which has always done 1 exceedingly well. Suitably situated, a freez-

ing; works in this part of the country should gain great support from all parts of Taranaki, and much of the new country such as that referred to in the sketch which we published in our last issue of Awakino, will soon he producing a great deal more stock than at present comes forward. Though it may not he safe to prophesy there are many signs which point to abundant- and busy seasons, good prices for our ■ wool and meat, together with easier money, some of which must he devoted to further settlement of the large areas of almost untouched lands to the north and east. In their own interests, therefore, fanners would do well to consider carefully this matter from all stand-j points, and if they are fully satisfied that the erection of further meat works would be of permanent advantj age, they should not hesitate to cooperate. Those who have taken the initiative are most completely satisi fled that they are on the right track I and that the time was never more ! opportune than how to get the scheme under weigh. A\ e understand that a meeting will be called in a few weeks’ time, when something tangible will be put forward, and in the meantime Mr Joseph McCluggage is receiving many solid promises of support and many useful suggestions from farmers and settlers.