THE BACON INDUSTRY.

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

THE BACON INDUSTRY.

TO THB EDITOR. Sib, —I have read with pleasure all you have published regarding the proposal to establish a Co-operative Baion Company, and think the farmers are indebted to you for giving this important subject 80 much attention. The reports of thf> eev»ral meetings held were very interesting. The weak spot in the proposal, to buy Mr Droka'd Fi'zroy factory, seems to me to be that the element of out-throat competition, so injurious to the producer, is not eliminated. Mr Harkness did the farmers splendid service when he showed them their strength and got them to unite for the purchase of the freezing works. Will he, or some man of influence, come forward with a scheme for purchasing the whole of the bacon factories and form oae co r>pe ative concern for Taratwki? If the farmers only unite they cao dictate their own terms, becau-e not or.e of these factories can stand without the farmer, although I should advoaito taking over all the existing works at a valuatioo, after that make the faotory most suitable the outing station and the others killing stations. This, lam satisfied, is the only way to put this i important industry on a thoroughly! sound and permanent footing. Under! the present system the farmer is at ths! mercy of the factory proprietors when- j ever they combine, or if small coope^d-1 tive concerns are formed the working! expenses eat up too lsrge a sliare of the I receipts, while t,be numerous makes! and brands tend to reduce the price.' Let us have one company, one brand, one quality for the whole dis'rict, and Tarauaki bacon wiil soon be as woll known, and as much in demand, as our butter. I think the Stratford faptory should be the curing station ; bub this would be for the m ijority to decide StratSord has many adyantig s, which would tike too long fco enumerate now, the chief onu being its oenfwl posi ion, I particularly ii view of f e construction of the Toko railway. This line will tip a wide are* th&t is »lroady producing a Urge number of pigs, and will slon I support sevi ral killing stations. Hoping some abler pen will take this matter up.—l am, etc., 00-opebation. , Toko, 23rd November, 1901.