The Daily News. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26,1901. THE BACON INDUSTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 281, 26 November 1901, Page 2

The Daily News. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26,1901. THE BACON INDUSTRY.

Thk letter whioh appears in our oorrespondence column under the signature of " Go-opibation," contains a propos d so large, so important, and so farreaching, that at first sight it alm?st takes ones breath away. But we feel bound to confess that the more we consider it the more we like it, the more fascinating and practicable it becomes. After all it is easily within the power and the means cf the large number of prosperous farmers who, by their energy and the systematic working of the dairy industry, have made Taranaki the most prosperous district in New Zealand. The proposal only advocates that the same.system should be applied to the bacon industry, instead of the spasmodic efforts which have characterised the industry in the past. We feel strongly that, " 00-operation " has hit the nail, on the head, and that j farmers will be wise to carefully con-1 sider the question of giving practical j effect to his proposal. The main thing the farmer has to consider is not where his pig is made into bacon, but how to secure the best price possible for it, and a I permanent market. Experience has shown that these conditions can only be obtained where the industry in established on a large scale. Dairy farmers, everywhere, know that the systematic grading of Taranaki butter, so that it I practically becomes one brand, has proved of incalculable value to the dairy industry. Our correspondent's suggestion that the Stratford factory should be chosen as the chief curing station will probably give oflVnce in some quarters, but after all it has a great deal to recommend it. In this matter the farmer has got himself to consider, and not the locality. In view of the enormous area which is being tapped by the Stratford-Whan-gamomona railway, Stratford is by far the most centrally situated for the purpose. The size and up-to-dato character of the factory there is also a strong point in its favour, ss it means less expense in the erection of buildings. Then the position, practically mid-way between J;he freezing, works and ports of New Plymouth, Waitara, and Patea, is all in its favour, although we expect by far the largest quantity of bacon will find its way for shipment to New Plymouth, The chief point in favour of Stratford is, however, the fact that taking a radius of say ten or twenty miles it is nearest to the largest quantity of raw material in the shape of pigs. The cost of carriage of bacon and hams is not a matter for such serious consideration as that of the live pig or carcase. In saying this we desire to place the question of localism on one side and deal with the matter in what we believe to be the bast interest of the farmer. The day has passed when the farmer can afford to allow the interests of an important industry and his own living to be injured by local jaalousies. We trust the farmers of Taranaki will read " 00-operation's " letter with interest and carefully consider his suggestions.