PROPOSED FREEZING WORKS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 251, 1 April 1915, Page 5

PROPOSED FREEZING WORKS.

STRONG SUPPORT AT OKATO. •Judging by the enthusiastic inrrL!i ; at Okato yesterday, farmers .aloii;,' tincoast intend to give strong ;-:ip port to tile co-operative fnvziir; works, which it is proposed to erect \v. North Tarunuki. The meeting w:u held at the conclusion of tlie Stony l!iv--T sale, the speakers usiii-< the hotel v: - andali as a platform. Mr. Newton King introduced M;'. '. 'l'. Quin, chairman of the committee appointed at Stratford. Mr. Quin explained the position on the lines of the Sir.itford meeting. He said that Taranaki fanners were well aware of the benefits of co-operation from their past experience. As far as freezing works wire concerned, lie pointed out that while the Government had commandeered the meat, they had not commandeered the freezing space, so that farmers were no better off than before. Farmers in th-> district, he asserted, had a great chance to further their own interests by the erection of these freezing works. If they did not embrace, the chance now there was a probability of South Taranaki joining in with the proposal to erect works at Marton, and t'he chance of works being erected in Taranaki would then be gone for many years. Regarding the question of the site, lie stated that this was a question for an expert to decide and not for the directors. JTlieve was the question of drainage, water supply, facilities for loading raw material, etc., to consider, and be pointed out they did not want to have to do as one firm did—pay £17,000 for drainage. Regarding the support that tho freezing works would get, he emphasised the fact i that they would be their own, i n their own district. The harbor, be added, hnd already cost a lot of money, and, although no rate was struck now, the day might arrive when a preferential rate would be necessary. The erection of freezing works would increase their exports and imports and so considerably add to the revenue of the harbor. He pointed out that it had been decided that the capital should be 20,000 shares of £js each, i.e., £IOO,OOO, and that IVe company do not proceed to allotment until at least 8000 shares were taken up. Six shillings would be paid on application, 6s on allotment, and the balance i n instalments over 18 months, until .€3 per share had been paid up. It was, he said, for the meeting to appoint delegates who would meet delegates from other centres, when the question of voting power; site, and other details wolld bo arranged'. He strongly urged believers in co-operation to assist tho scheme.

In reply to Mr. W. Grant, lie s.-iiil that as low as one share could lie taken up. Mr. P. Smith (Okoke) considered that it was important to know tlie proposed locality of the works before asking settlers to become shareholders. II" considered that the proprietary freezing works could deal with all the stock offering ff boats were available Regarding the site, Mr: Q'ui'n 'again pointed out that this was a" matter for the best brains available to decide. It had been decided that it must be ■within a radius of eight miles from lepperton, and wherever it was placed in that area it. should be, easily accessible to tlie coastal'district. Whangamomona, Mokau, and "South' Taranaki had also to lie considered.'

In reply to a'question by Mr. A. Mnir. Messrs Quin and King both affirmed' that the works would export through Motirroa.

Tn reply to a. question as to whether shares would be interest bearing; Mr Quin said that was a matter for the delegates to decide. It should not be made a dividend paying concern, but should be made to give suppliers ;vho were shareholders the best possible returns.

Mr. W. ,T. Grav considered that it would pay the settlers to erect the freezing works, even if they did not put one bead of stock through it. If they did not nut stock through, it would be their ow„ fault. Stock from Hawke's Bay was now being put through the works and their own stock was shut -out. This proposal should appeal to the man with even one cow. "Now is our time," he added. "Let's go on and' put the works up." (Applause.) Mr. M. Fleming pointed out that farmers i„ South Taranaki were receiving 10s per head more for their store and forward cows than did North Taranaki, and this was owing to the Patea Co-oper-ative Freezing Works. He thought the area for the site was, very fair, and should suit the coast. He considered that even if they had to launch out heavily it would pay -n the increased value of the stock. He was prepared to take, twenty shares. Mr. Burgess said that outside the direct benefit there were such indirect bene- ] fits to be derived that it would pay to take shares, even if one never had any cattle to put through. All the stuff would be shipped through Moturoa. They had bee,, waiting for years for the Home .boats to come to New Plymouth, and with cargo to load they would be certain to come. There would ho added, be plenty of inward cargo offering. The works too would mean a saving on the cost of manure, a very important item. Though he only hnd 100, acres, he promised to take 15 shares and if every one went on that basis the concern would soon be over capitalised. Mr. W. R, Wright referred to the fact that their lambs had brought 2s more at Hawera than at Waitara. ,He also-men-tioned the various "pickings" which he considered would help to pay the dividend. If a shareholder only got JOs extra on one cow it would equal over 10 per cent, on the paid up capital of one share. He was prepared to take 30 shares, and he moved—That the fanners i n that district are in favor of the works being established. This was seconded by Mr. W. ,T. Gray and carried. Mr. i>. ,T. Hughes said that, while favoring co-operation, he had stood out from the Patea company because he wanted to see the Moturoa harbor go ahead.- In a short time the largest boats would be able to berth at New Plymouth. Tf the proposal was advertised .and canvassed he felt that it would ~e over subscribed.

Mr. King stated that the proposal to establish freezing works had been brought forward last year, but had boon held over owing to the war. During the last two months, he bad been approached several times by settlers of Kohuratahi and Whangamomona, and had pronvsed to endeavor to get the works started if possible. It was absolutely necessary, be considered, to establish the worts. Everyone, was smarting under the losses they had sustained this seaon. The harbor! be said, would be ready to receive the Home boats in from four to six months' time, and there was not the slightest risk that the produce would not be shipped at Moturoa. The following were appointed delegates to the central meeting to be hold later: Messrs M. Fleming, J. Burgess, W. J. Cray, C. Sole, J. Dueker, and W. Ilonevfield.

The following shares were subscribed after the meeting—Messrs C. Sole 1(1(1, ! W. P. Wright :W, M. 'Fleming 20, P. Sole 21), A. Clothier 20, C. Wells 20, R. Newfug 20, K. Aylward 2H, C. Honeyficld 20, ,T. Burgess 15, J. Carey 15, Dueker Bros. 15, W. Grant 10, C, Andrews 10, V. J. fireenwav 1.0, W. J. Crav 10, A. L. ITunter 10, ,T. ,T. Collins 10, W. Finnic 10, IT. ,T. Okev 10, A. W. Muir 10, V. J. Cowling

10, S. Smith (Okoke) 10, F. Gill fi, \V. Mace 5, (J. Allardice 5, B. T. Booker- 8, 11. Corbett •"), V. Olbell 3, J.'Crockett S, W. Wooldridge 4, W. A. Thomas 2, C. V. Shaw 2, J. Lawn 2, W. Lawn 2, and F. W. Collins 2. Total 474.

PROPOSED MEETING AT RAHOTU. )'i

A meeting will be held at Rahotu to • consider the proposal on Tuesday afternoon next at 3 p.m. '''

WHANGAMOMONA SUPPORT. <"

Information from the Whangamomona, ~ district is to the effect that the pro- .; posed co-operative freezing works mow "' meat is meeting with solid support in * that district. Already some 450 allures ''- have been taken up between Whanga- ■' ; momona and Tangarakau. From indi- '-' cations to hand, the support in the PoliQkura district, which is about to be canvassed, will be equally strong.