TAIHAPE FREEZING WORKS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 290, 14 September 1915, Page 4

TAIHAPE FREEZING WORKS.

<j, LAYING FOUNDATION STONEA MEMORABLE EVENT, HUGE GATHERING OF PEOPLE.

THE PRIME MINISTER PERFORMS THE CEREMONY.

Yesterday marked a red letter day in the history' of Taiihape and district, for the foundation stone of the large freezing works being erected at Wiuiata by - the Otaihape Fanners’ Meat and Produce Company, was laid by the Prime Minister (Hon. W. F. Massey). Arrangements were made for a special train to be run to the site,,of the wbWcs, and this convenience was. fully made use of.

On a platform arranged in front, of the foundation stone were the'Prime Minister, Messrs Smith and Newman, M.’sP., Mr H. D. Bennett (chairman or iCrector). The Mayor (Mr A. L! Arrcwsmith) ; Borough Councillors'and shareholders of the Company. The Taiba.pe Municipal Brass Band wag in attendance, and at the ope Png edremony played the National Anthem.

Mr H. D. Bennett, in Ms opening address, said fee felt he was rignt in saying that this was an occasion unique * n the Mstorjy of Taihape and district. The future success and prosperity of the district depended la-,rely upon such institutions as were now being free ted. New Zealand was particularly adapted to the frozen meat industry, and in having a freezing works Taihape was successful in petting what other and larger eentres had ■ tried hard to get Great difficulty vas always; ,experienced in getting, the finances to commence such works, and it was due to the enthusiasm and loyalty of the farmers of the district that they were able to start these works. With the directors he had been successful in getting the Prime Minister to come up to lay the foundation stone and for such an important duty, no n;an but the head of the Government would do. (Hear, hear). He would how ask the Premier to speak. The, Prime Minister thanked the chairman and directors for inviting him to Taihape. He believed Sunday was th, 3 ?Ist birthday of Taihape, so this function was being held on this auspicious occasion on an historical date. He wished to congratulate the shareholders of the Freezing Company on their energy and enthusiasm in building such a works. He had been in tench with the frozen meat industry for sometime and his greatest trouble had been lack of storage. This year there would be provision for 1,000,000 more carcases. The shortage of sotbage on vessels had been due partly to the fact that Germany and Austria, who owned about 15 per cent of the merchant vessels jhadruo-t got one of those vessels at present on the open s(ea. Then Great Britain had taken many of hf|r merchantmen for defence purposes, and this applied also to Australia, New Zealand and Canada. This mean a shortage of about 25 per cent, of the usual shipping facilities. He had made arrangements with the Imps; ill authorities to send ships to New Zealand as soon as possible, and later they hud paid. £SOOO to get one ship out here without waiting for a cat-go. Later sfilil, at a cost of £15,000 they had brought out the Zealandia” in tfee same wajy. This action, had met with the approval o fthe Home authorities so fully, that they had relieved New Zealand of that liability of £20,000. (Hear, hear.) Since the Government had taken over the control of the* frozen meat being sent to England, consignments amounting to £4,100,000 had been sent home. At the end of this season thiey will have sent away 73 shiploads of meat, which was only two ships isjhort of the number sent the year before. At the same time a greater consignment of meat had been sent.

The butter and cheese trade in New Zealand was alsio an enormous one, j but they had experienced - no trouble, in .getting, it Ito England. Between now and the New Year they would have thirty ships ■ in New Zealand • ports, loading meat for the Home market. At the end of September theft' would have 646,500 cakcases mtiy to send and by the lend of .Ocntber that total would have • been , shipped Home. He* had not the slightest doubt hut that the meat industry would for yealrs increase in importance. During last year not one complaint had reached him in reference - to New Zealann meat Then as to trade generally, they had every reason to be (gratified. Last year the exports amounted to £27,000.000 and the imports to £20,000,000. This meant that £7,000,000 was left for the improvement of the country. There was no better indication of the state of tfaQ country, thanks to the State Savings Bank returns, and last year the deposit is exceeded withdrawals by £1,200,000. The sound position of the country was one of tire most noticeable facts since the outbreak of the war. With reference to the price of meat, he might say that when the Beard of Trade assumed control, the pyice of , transit went up, and it new } cost . about 2d per lb to send meat | Homo. great psH, ~of the meat wort J fr> BitC-ata's army, and thefy would

be pleased to know that no army was better fed to-day than th e British army. (Hear, hear.) Speaking of the war, he would say that those who could not go to the front, could assist m other ways. The people of Great Britain needed meat, butter, cheese, etc., and if the producers of New Zealand increased th e export trade b.y 25 per cent., they would be quite as patriotic as thos'c who fought in the trenches. He new had the very great Pleasure of declaring- the foundation s ono of the Otaihape Meat aud Profreezing works well ano truly laid. (Cheers). 1 *-e Acting-Mayor then presented Mr Masse,,- with a sflwer trowel as a memento of thg occasion.

amr , n ,T Ti>turne t »'«nk s . .and said that the trowel would he regained as a lasting memoot,. .„ „„ epoch marking- dav n- ~ history. ■ " Tauia P- e «

Three hearty cheers were the i .even for the Prime Minister.

,TV ith the object of raising f, ri i . f or tlie Carnival, Mr D. Neagl e prrouted : a ,^ a , r S e Union Jack for auction. After some spirited bidding, the flag was knocked down to Mr Whenuaroa for “keeps.” The total amount realised for the flag was over £SOO. An adjournment was then made to another part of the bindings, where the banquet was laid in two large halls. THE BANQUET. A la'rge number of tables, bountifully laden with meats, salads, sweets and cordials, were arrayed in the halts, and at tne top of tne first ha 1 !, tin; directors’ table ran at right angles. Mr Massey occupied the centre seat, and on Ms right was seated the Mayor (Cr Arrowsmith) and on Ms left the Acting-Mayor (Cr Bennett). The proceedings opened with the loyal toast, the gathering rising and singing the National Anthem.

Mr Arrow-smith said he had been entrusted with a toast which he lesarded a s the most important ou the list. The toast he had to prooose wa_s that of “The Allied Armies and Navies.” As they were aware the list

of their allies was 'growing longer month by month, and they ,yet hoped to see ranged with tthem Roumania and Greece. He would like them to think what thejy owed to the British army and navy, an r j the armies of the Allies.' The spontaneous manner in which ,th© Allies had fought with Britain against the common enemy was a remarkable feature of the war. He wished them all to feel that if they could not go to the war, they should at least show deference to the men who did go. Tfhey should think of the men in the North Sea, those soldiers fighting in frozen countries, and those, iniludinjg Australians and New Zealanders,. in the blistering heat of Gallipoli. They could not fill their glasses too full or drink too heartily to this toast, coupled with tihe name of the Premier.

Mr Massey expressed his pleasure in replying to the toast, and said that for more than 12 months they had been fighting and yet the British army and navy were stronger than ever. Britain was nbt prepared at first, but now her men were rushing to the colours. He was eertani that although the Russians were being driven back slightly* lately, they would yet drive the Germans back to their lines. The Japanese also had done their share. The army and navy had been mentioned, and they would nevep forget that it was an Australian boat that sunk the Emdfen. Italy had also come into the war /with ,the enkhusd&sra v Th e war would go on and on until the Prussians were placed where they should be. (Hear, hear.) New Zear land !had done very ay ell, and at pre* sent had 30,000 men undek arms, inclusive of those at the front, and before long another 5000 would be going to help th;eir companions at Gallipoli. Then they had the native volunteers, men who had descended from a fighting race, and shortly 350 will leave these shores. They had gone into the war with the igreatest of couirage and enthusiasm and their cause was right in the minds of 99 out of every 100 subjects of the British Empire. (Hear, hear.) Germany- enviejd Britain : hck.. o overseas possessions and wanted niorfe - !, j water frontage. But Germany had made a great mistake. The then of Ireland, who had been looking at each other along 'their rifles were-now fight- ■' thg side by side. Then again the Indian Princes had proved theri loyalty, although many thought they were near the verge of revolt. Speaking as the head of the Government, he could not speak highly enough of the women folk. He felt confident that at the end of the war they would get their full shsjre of merit. He must, in conclusion, express his high appreciation of the patriotic enthusiasm not only of w the people of Tnihape. but of New Zealand as a whole. (Cheers).

The toast of the “Taihape Freezing Works,” was proposed by thy Premier., and in the course of his remarks, he said that the fine building of which he had just laid the foundation stone, would b e a great incentive to men in the district to push forward .therural indusrtias. Speaking to the producers, he would say that nothing would convince him ; that : th!by - not 'recover after the war. OwtcS to the war, they had really lost slight of the opening of the Panama Canal,

the benelts which New Zealand would accrue from it. At the recant Expcsation New Zealand had been successtn in securing over 400 awards which was

a record. Mr H. D. Bennett, as chairman of directors of the company, in reply said it was some eighteen months ago, when the movement for a freezing works was first put in motion, and he wa s one of those who at first were against establishing a freezing works. Their enthusiasm, however, was so oreat that he (had changed his opinion, and so had others. As he had stated previously, it was dffiicult to raise the necessary finances, but the smaller farmer had responded nobly. There were other large land owners who were not yet shareholders. With regard to the work he might say that they saw their way was clear for paying for the works. Then they had got very good terms from the Bank of New Zealand, which had promised to tide them over their first year’s operations. The works would cost £45,000, and the directors had made everything secure.' They only needed more money and mutton. They needed greater storage capacity. If they were given the help of the farmers and the business men he hoped , they would make a success of the works. H 3 bold in his hand apologies for absence from Sir Walter Buchanan and several others who were unavoidably absent. In conclusion, he would assure -them the whole scheme was alright; they had nothing to he afraid of, and they could all be members of the company. (Hear,

hear.) The toast of tihe “Kindred Industries” was proposed by Mr Lethridge, chairman Rangitlikei County Council, "who saild lie wisjhed fi*st of all to •congratulate the Taihape Borough and District on having such a fine freezing works in their midst. He hoped it would not be long before they needed larger buildings. He now asked them to drink heartily to the toast. Mr M. J. Dixon, in reply, said that .after the several fine speeches, he felt an amateur, and could hardly do ?vstice to the toast He had been connected with freezing for mUY year;, , and ihe hoped the Taihape Compare would turn cut the best artnle r n -the market. (Hear, hear.) Mr J. Poulsen said they had around Taihape some of the finest sheep-fat-tening land in New Zealand, and they liad now got a fine freezing works. They were sill partly in the hands of the middleman, and he felt the Government could give them the greatest help in this direction. This had T,een done by the South Australian ■Government. There might be a depression after the war and then the Government might help them The chairman, Mr Bennett, proposed ijhe t r ast of “The Government” They had now got a National Government, wtifre each party had united; and iwac cue of the finest incidents reel d>ed in the history of New Zealand. He would ask them to heartily drink the toast of “The Government,” coupled with the name of the Hon. Mr Mi ssey. Mr Smith and Mr Newman. Mr Massey, in reply, saiid to took all sorts to make a world, and all sorts to make a Parliament They bad formed a National Government, and it w as hoped that another nation would shortly follow in their footsteps. Their finances compared with other countries was very good in many respects. One expense of the war was the interest the war loan, which would amount to between £600,000 and £7oo.ooo.Th e first work of the National Government was the raising of 2,000,000 additional revenue. They could not please everyone, but they must realise that no sacrifice is too great to win this war. The determination of the country was that they would not stop war until the British Empire was triumphant. One of the most important works was the supply of men to the front. They ■had had trouble in connection with their camps, but the same trouble had teen experienced in Australia. Mr R. W. Smith, M.P., thanked the chairman for coupling, his name with -fhp toast and stated that he was very pleased., to be. with the Premier that evening. Speaking of the Parliament of a'New Zealand, he would say.that the progress -rf tJhe country was phenomenal ■ Referring to the Budget, he would sav that ample provision had been made for the coming year and the proposals ■ made in the Budget dad not ’hurt The most hardly-hit o, • the whole lot of them was not making >a palrt of t ic > sacrifice that those fellows were mat ing at the front. (Hear, hear). He was more than delighted that the provided for all. He since. that the* good influence of the National Government would net 'fee lost, but that the future relations of both sides of the House would be more friendly. Mr .Newman, M.P, said lie was very pleased Mr Massey had come to Taihape on this important occasion. With regard to the National Government, that might he termed an historical event, wfhen Mr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward joined hands and worked side fey side. It was extraordinary that the gigantic w*r had brought about a harmony In * New Zealand politics. He was a. mepib.er. cf the Wellington Moat TENrpert Cofpnnv hut,he felt sure there

was room for a large works at Taihap-? There wore very few' farms in thU district that could not produce 50 p£r cent. mcif. produce) There was an e: crnious area on the other side of Mat arc a, and, with a cheap fe*Ml:ser it could be made very profitab’e He sat on the opposite side of di. House m Mr Smith-, hut at the same time he had always thought a rood deal cli».h member. (Hen’, hear).

.Mr H W Sn. th in proposing, the to:, n of ‘"J he An hitect and Contractors irpde valedictory remarks with regard ,to Mr James’ qualifications ,as an architect, and also to the good, workmanship of the ... contractors,, Messrs Russell and Bignelh of Wan-, grtnui. . ■ - -rn.-:. r,-;t 'r

Mr James briefly responded... Messrs Russell and Bignell were upfoytunatc-. iy unable to be present,..,... ... j Mr . Massey, in proposing, , the . toap.t. of the chairman, said he. had known. Mr Bennett many years,, and . hod- aV ways found him a keen business .urnA,, He wduld ask them to drink heay.niy, »to the toast of h£s health. . ~... / In responding, Mr Bennett laid stress upon the fact that without..pyilli )A directors, the chairman was. practically able to do little, hut on the B nird there were 'sevanfl iwlho Would do anything rath;er than miss a meeting. (Hear, hear.) The banquet closed with a vote o* thanks to the chairman, proposed, by Mr Massey. In his remarks: he eaid he understood their late secretary, Mr Lionel Dixon, had enlisted and was already in training at camp. This large gathering then sang the National Anthem, and afterwards made their way to tihe station. A statutory annual meeting was held after the banquet, attended by the directors end shareholders of the companj.