CO-OPERATIVE FREEZING WORKS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 259, 12 April 1915, Page 7

CO-OPERATIVE FREEZING WORKS.

MEETING AT I\'GLEW\X).D. | there was an attendance of about fifty, farmers at the meeting in ImdeI n-ood on .Saturday afternoon to dWc'uss the proposal to establish co-operative freezing works in north Taranaki.- Mr. A. Morton presided, and there were also present Messrs J. T. Qui,, (chairman), E. -Maitell and ■{.'. Young, members of the prov.sion.ui eommittee appointed at fctrafiord. Mr. A. Morton explained that a meeting had been held at Inglewood a fortnight previously, at which the proposal was well supported, but it was deemed advisable to call an advertised meeting, so a 3 to atiord every fanner a chance to hear Mr. Qum who was well pleased with the support the proposal had received at t.ie various meetings he had attended Jh, s proposition, continued mi. JUorton, should commend itself to every dairy fanner as well as to every ¥T a \ }"Jt of all > thcre »' a * very little doubt that the establishment of tlie works must enhance the value of their cull cows and hulls. Then the works would mean that direct boats would come to Moturoa to take the produce, and would no doubt lift the whole of the dairy produce for Taranaki also. That alone was a strong reason why tie proposal should be supported by every dairy company. He then introduced Mr. J. T..Quin. Mr. Quin spoke on the same lines as at previous meetings. He stated that the proposal was meeting with hearty support m various parts, and alon.r the coast between Moturoa and Opunake he did not think there would be one farmer who would not take shares. He would say nothing against proprietary concerns. He considered that in Taranaki they had one of the best proprietary J inns in the Dominion, 'but the time 'was opportune for the establishment of co-operative works. The small man as well as the grazier was interested. The object of establishing this concern was to see that the farmer got full value for his stock. The man with a hundred acres had a few cull cows to sell each year, a 9 well a3 his bulls,, and, if not satisfied with the price offered in the paddocks or on the hooks, he should be given a chance to consign the stock on his own account and dispose of it in the best mnrJic-r, ii a v , n emphasised the £iet that the selection of the site would be referred to expert advice, the location being confined to that area within a radius of eidit miles from Lepperton Junction. They were not out in the interests of any town, auctioneering firm or name, but solely in the interests of the producer. If 12,000 shares were promised the works would go on; otherwise they would not. It was useless to go on witii the scheme if it was under-capital ised. He referred to the success that had attended the various co-operative ventures in Taranaki and elsewhere, and considered that the works, if started, would prove a success. He impressed on them the fact that if tile opportunity was not grasped now it might be twenty years before the chance came again, as the south Taranaki men would give their support to Marton or elsewhere. Mr. Morton said that no report had been received from the committee an-point-d at hist meeting to canvass. It would be desirable to arrange for a canvass, and also to appoint delegates, lie also emphasised the fact that if the project was not taken up in earnest now it would be lost for a great many years. The Wellington Meat Company was esta-blishing works at Marton and endeavoring to get support from Taranaki. South Taranaki people did not care where they shipped so long as they had works of their own. In north Taranaki the farmers wanted to see the produce pass over the wharves at New Plymouth. Thev wanted the port to mean more than it meant to-dim If they put their shoulder to the' wheel and liiad;' the project go thev would get solid support from south Taranaki. If they were apathetic they would lose that support, and he did not think north Taranaki would he able to run the works on its own. He urged them to put some energy into the project. Mr. E. Marfcll said he \va s pleased to hear Mr. Morton lay stress on the port of N'ew Plymouth. A's a ratepayer in that area ho did not want to see another harbor rate, (shipping their produce from the wharf would prevent this. lie had been assured by Mr. Kins that the harbor would be able to accommodate Home boats within a few months, and directly the Home boats were induced to come here they would get their I imports (including manures) much j cheaper. The promoters, he added, bad no idea of starting a bacon factory, but would he willing to freeze porkers. I Mr. .). li. Simpson considered it would ■ be a scandalous disgrace if a district like Inglewood allowed this chance to to 1 by. Here they had been grumbling and growling for years at the price of culls, and now had a chance to end this. Inglewood was a small man's district, but he thought that every man should take up at least one or two shares-. He suggested that a circular should be issued to the secretaries of the dairy companies, authorising them to take up shares for any supplier applying for them, and to deduct the calls from their milk cheques until paid up. Mr. Morton considered that dairy companies should oall meetings of their shareholders and explain the scheme to them. If they only knew how vital the matter was, they would not hesitate to see that each supplier became a shareholder and would themselves, as a company, also take shares. The question interested the dairying industry as well as the individual fanners. | Mr. J. Fabisli thought the site should have been decided first, as this Would have greatly assisted the disposal of j shares, lie thought Moturoa would be ! the most suitable. Mr. Quin said it was a matter for expert advice; the promoters were not tied to any site. He had been offered j support by different people, on condition that works were located at various sites. In reply to Mr. ,T. Brown, Mr, Quin , said that already 4000 shares were proi niiscd. Including south Taranaki he I could reasonably see fIOOO shares. He I could not see the other .1000 shares withj out admitting "dry" shareholders. The question of finance, was discussed, [ but the promoters- held that it was v use starting under-eapita'iscd, ar; '.' ' won'd lend to disaster. They wanted to be supported by the farmers, and did | not want to ho I'o'ivcd in bny| cheaply i» , the. open market and shut out share- ; holders' cattle, as was done by a certain co-operative company (hat started lir.d-er- ! capitalised. ; Mr. J. Brown considered the prono-al a good one, and Would '/i>e it his support, lie did not waul to throw cold ' water on it, but he asked how could i the,- 0.-peet (be small farmer who bad to sfni«e:lo to make a living, to take the matter up, when the man who made bis living by .Grazing and running stock said he had no time to assist in getlio" it -roaig. He added (hat there was a feeling' in the district thai it was all verv well to say the southern men would come in, while (lie small cockatoo had to bear the brunt. Let the. grazier <•<"»<> m first, and the small men would ■ ithen come at it too. What could thev expect from a small farmer who bad In scrape to raise two shares, when the man wdio made his living at fattening only took ten? His average, out of a j herd of -10 cows would lie four or five i culls, but be'was prepared to "do his ■ bit."' He Rit.ge-ested that si. canvasser j <-,bonhl be appointed. He felt certain ! licit <-, <;':■>-" !hi".- the- won!,! -el; a lot j of shaves, He then moved: "That this meeting of Ingbwood farmers considers

it desirable to start a co-operative meat freezing works in north Taranaki." This was seconded by Mr. A. Gamlin, and carried unanimously. Messrs A. Morton, Beauehamp, 3\ Brown, and A. Corkill were appointed delegates to attend a central meeting, to be held later, to discuss details. Votes of thanks to the speakers and to the chair terminated the meeting. ] ii the room over a hundred additional shares were applied for, making, wit'* those promised at the first meeting and since, considerably over 400 for the Inglewood district.