FARMERS' CO-OPERATIVE FREEZING COMPANY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 250, 31 March 1915, Page 3

FARMERS' CO-OPERATIVE FREEZING COMPANY.

MEETIXO AT INGLBWOOD.

A meeting was held at Inglewood on .Saturday afternoon to consider the above project, but unfortunately no public notice had been given of the proposed meeting, so that only six farmers who "happened" to be in town at the i time, and "happened" to he told about it by someone who "happened" to know, i "happened" to be present. Mr A. Mor'ton occupied the chair, and explained the object-of the meeting, and spoke strongly on the need of establishing the proposed works in Taranaki. He briefly referred to the proposed site, which absolutely disinterested experts had strongly recommended should be on a site selected.at Leppcrton, and an option of purchase had been obtained over the area, but, of course, nothing of a binding nature had yet been done. It was too late to think of getting works for this season, and unless they set to work in earnest they would not be ready by next season. There was no doubt as to the urgent need of works, and the sooner the farmers get about it the better. He would now ask Mr C. Young, a member of the Stratford committee, to address them on the subject.

Mr C. Young said that they had held a most enthusiastic meeting at Stratford to consider this question of establishing a Farmers' Co-operative Freezing Company, and the resolution in favor of doing so was carried unanimously. The conditions they had adopted in Stratford were: Value of shares £5 to be called up to £3 as follows:—(is on application. (1% on allotment, and 6s at intervals of two months, covering a neriod of 18 months, no allotment to be made until applications for 8000 shares had been received, and no one would be called on for any nayments until that number of shares had been applied for. On Tuesday lust, in Stratford, Between eight and nine hundred shares had been applied for in the meeting room.

Mr Gamlin said he had had as much to do with freezing works during the last few years as most of them, and he could assure them the proposed works were an absolute necessity. At present there was always something happening to hamper the works and reduce the handling facilities of the present companies. One year there is a slaughterman's strike and the companies can't receive stuff, then there is a general striße, then the companies can't get rid of what they have frozen, and then there is a shortage of shipping apace and everyone is blocked, and more handling and storage facilities must be made available, and the only way to secure them was to establish works of their own.

Mr Bcauchamp asked if the chairman could give them any idea as to the locality of the site for the work?. Mr Morton replied that the site w.is left for experts To decide. The area within which they had to select was Waiongona, Sentry Hill and Omata— Omata being practically Moturoa—and they had recommended a site at Lepperton.

Mr Trimble asked if the experts had given any special reasons for recommending the lepperton site or had reported what the objections, if any, had they to the rejected sites, more especially as to the site at Moturoa.

The chairman said the expert gave his reasons" for being against the Moturoa site, and strongly recommended the Lepperton site first and then a site on the Durham road second.

Mr Smith asked if the expert had taken any notice of the facilities for transport offered by the Moturoa sit*, as the cost of transit tlierc would be practically nil, as they could put in a private line right down to the wharf, Mr C. Young saic', with reference to the site, that when the works were first mentioned the site was considered a most essential point, and they were told it was no use to expect men up the coast to drive cattle down to Stintford for the carcases to be railed bac!" to New Plymouth. That was why they got an expert, and lie waslakcn to nil suggested sites, and so far as they could gather the recommended site would be som:where at Lepperton, but that was not actually settled,

Mr Vickera understood they were there to express an opinion as to whether it was advisable to start Co-opera-tive Freezing Works i n Taranaki. It was no use for every man to want the works on his own land. The works were for the general welfare of the farmers of the district, and not for any particular farm or person. He thought such works were very necessary, and as to the site he thouglit that that could very well be left with {he experts to decide in the interests of the district as a whole. Freezing works no doubt were a good thing, and he was quite aware of the stiff problem they were up agaisst with the meat handlers at the other end, but, however, he would move, "That this meeting is of opinion that it is desirable to form a Co-ou-erative Freezing Company in Taranaki.

Mr Gamlin seconded and the motion was carried unanimously. Tn reply to Mr Capper, the chairman stated that the company would be managed on the same lines as all their co-operative companies were worked. The expenses would be kept down as low as possible, and the best price would be obtained for their output. What was required to enusre the success of the works was the unanimous support of the farmers and then they could not be .wrong. He thought every dairy farmer should take shares, as everyone of them had an unprofitable cow to get rid of, and generally each year or two a bull to sell, and these were the works that enabled them to get full value for their lines.

Mr Simpson said a lot of people were hanging fire until they knew where the works were to be, and iE that could bo settled, no doubt many would come forward and take up shares. Mr Thomson considered the site quite a secondary consideration. They had confirmed the question as to formation of the company, and the rest ought to be left to the committee.

Mr Morton thought a committee ought to be formed here to canvass the district thoroughly and asked for nominations, when the following were appointed:—Messrs C. Ansford, Oppeushaw, J. Brown, C. Young, H. Sander, A, Corkill, and Gamlin,

Mr Morton then asked for applications for shares when tlie following applied:—Messrs Vk'kerg 25, Morton 20, Dobson 10, Burrell Bros, 10, floauchamp 10, Thomson 10, Openshaw 10, Trimble 10, Capper 5. Bridgeman 5, Buckthought 5, Crean o, W. Davis 5, Marshall Bros 5, J. Brown 5. A. E. Laurence 5, W. Lauranec 5, S. Deatli a, Smith 5, Simpson ?, and Riekard 2. A vote of thanks to the chair closci the proceedings.—Record.

OPUNAKE.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) There was a small attendance at the Town Hall, Opunake, on Monday afternoon, to hear Mr Dunn (convenor) explain the proposals for establishing a co-operative freezing works for Taranaki.

Mr Dunn outlined the proposals as already ■pulilisTied in the Xows. TTe stated that if tliey did not got 8000 shaves taken up tliey would not proceed with flotation., They did not intend to under-

capitalise, which had been a mistake in the past with co-operative concerns. He said proprietary companies existed on this coast some years ago. They were needed in those days, but they had now passed out of their usefulness, and co-operation had taken their place. They were of opinion that co-opera-tion was necessary to (provide their own freezing works. Mr. McKeown pointed out that at the present time farmers were at the mercy of the freezing companies. The companies could buy sufficient meat to keep their works going and the ordinary farmer wa3 compelled, to take what chance they offered him in getting his farmers would club together to work Mr Lawn asked a number of questions relating to the formation of the company; and if it would be one" vote one share, as he was afraid the big farmer would club together to work to their own interests and leave the small farmer to "bump along." Mr Quin said it was a matter for the provisional directors and shareholders. They had not got to that stage yet. The promoters were desirous of knowing if there was sufficient inducement to go on with a co-operative freezing works by bona fide fanners.

Mr McKeown proposed that it was the wish of the meeting that a co-operative freezing works be" started in Taranaki. The motion was seconded by Mr Morton and iTectarcd carried.

Mr Sam. Campbell spoke m favor of sticking to Patea.

The mover and seconder expressed their willingness to take ten shares each.