CO-OPERATIVE FREEZING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 77, 17 August 1912, Page 4

CO-OPERATIVE FREEZING.

DISCUSSED BY FARMERS' UNION. At the monthly meeting of the executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union at Hawera on Thursday, the following. resolution sent by the Kaimata branch was carried:—"That owing to the freezing works as at present operating being a'monopoly, it is desirable to bring before the fanners' of Taranaki the desirability of establishing a co-operative , freezing works for Taranaki." The Moa Farmers' Co-operative Dairy Company had passed a similar resolution, Mr. Capper, in moving' the resolution, said it had originated in the Moa Farmers' Daily Company meeting. The resolution; was sent to the executive so that an expression of opinion could be got from. the executive. His people were of opinion that a co-operative freezing works. would be very beneficial to the farmers.. Mr. Thomson seconded the motion. Mr. Maxwell said there had been. some talk of establishing •works at Moturoa, but they had been waiting for a lead. He had no doubt that the. boats. would como to Moturoa. They had no-w----an understanding to that effect. Sufficient depth had now been, obtained—they had 33 feet. The maximum draught of fully laden ships coming to Moturoa was 31 feet. They should look at New Plymouth as the main outlet of Taranaki. Whether it was better to havethe works close to the ports or to establish works somewhere in the country hewas not prepared to saj'. Mr. Lumbie thought the difficulty would be in getting farmers to take: shares. Ho had every hope that thefarmers would see that it was to their advantage to have a co-operative freeze ing works. There was plenty of room for it. lie was very pleased to hear the 'optimistic report that Mr. Maxwell had. given about the New Plymouth breakwater. They would be foolish not to take advantage of the harbor facilities they had there.

■ Mr. Willis thought it would be a mistake to establish another freezing works. They had already a farmers' freezing works at Pa tea, and all they need do was to support this. It was. he thought, suicidal to establish works inland. The Patea works could cope with twice the amount of business it had at present. The farmers had there what was asked for, and it was not supported. ' Mr. Washer endorsed what Mr. Willis lad said. Mr. Swindlehurst asked if thev, as farmers, could send their stuff to Paten, wtthout taking shares. .Mr. Willis said they could. Mr. Buckeridge said that what thpv wanted was an assured sound finance and the. loyalty of farmers. Mr. Virgin said this matter had been, discussed some time ago at Inglewood. They had some trouble with their lnmln by a .private firm. It was thought at that time that a freezing works somewhere between Inglewood and Stratford would meet the requirements. Mr. Marfell thought the matter should go to the branches for discussion, but he thought the time was hardly ripe for new works.

The motion was put and carried.— Argus,