PROPOSED FREEZING WORKS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 266, 20 April 1915, Page 8

PROPOSED FREEZING WORKS.

MEETING AT LEPPERTON".. EFFECT ON NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOR. There was ;ui attendance of between Shirty and forty settlers at the Lepperton Hall last night at the meeting tailed to discuss the proposal to erect to-operative meat freezing worts in North Taranaki. Mr. P. -A. Openshaw was voted to the chair, and briefly outlined the proposal. He titated that the site was to be somewhere between the Waionsona bridge on the Mountain Road and Waitara and Omata. Irrespective of any advantage to be derived by Lepperton from a selfish point of view, the erection of co-operative works would tie an asset to North Taranaki. and it was the bounden duty of every farmer to help the scheme as much as possible, It would be thcl first step in the direction of checking the operations of the meat trusts that were quietly but effectually getting hold of the meat in She Dominion.

He then introduced Mr. A. Morton, who prefaced his address by remarking that the subject wa3 of keen interest to all dairy farmers. He briefly touched on the progress made since the project was first taken up some months atto, and was then dronped owing to the outbreak of war. The papers had for years past advocated tile establishment of freezing works, as soon as the harbor was available for direct ships. They were now assured that the harbor wou'd he ready in a few months. Indeed, it was now possible to berth any vessel at the wharf, but the shipping companies required various other conditions that would not be readv for a few months. The need for extra freezing works was very evident to-day, as this year the position had become very acute, owing to the freezing works having been unable to handle a large number of fat Btoek, which had consequently lost their condition. This was probably not altogether the fault of the owners of the works, but also on account of the dearth of shipping. There were works in New 'Zealand that purchased cattle in the cheapest market hundreds of miles away, and shut out their own shareholders' stock. It might have been pood business from the viewpoint of profits, but was not fair to shareholders. Referring to the proprietary concerns, he stated that whilst Borthwick and Sons were a firm of the highest integrity, and dealt well with their clients, yet the,farmers should have works of their own, so as to get for themselves all that was in their stock. Taranaki was increasing its live stock year by year. North Taranaki was not Strong enough to support works of its own, but with the assistance of the rest of Taranaki could do so. He emphasised the danger of delay, inasmuch as South Taranaki support might be given to a 'proposal to erect works at Marton. It was immaterial to the South Taranaki farmer whether his meat was shipped at Wellington, Waitara, Wanganui, or New Plvmouth, as long as he got full value for it. In North Taranaki farmers wanted their produce shipped over the New Plymouth wharf, and it had been definitely decided that the meat was to be shipped at New Plymouth. If the Home boats nhipned the meat it would bo only reasonable to ask them to lift the dairy produce also. The shipping companies paid the coastal boats 13s per ton for nhipping to Wellington, whether from N'ew Plymouth, iPatea or Wanganui. It might be said that the dairy farmer did not pay this, but he did so indirectly, as he paid 2s fid per box of butter and Is 2d per lb on cheese freight to England. Moreover, he said, not only would the produce from North Taranaki be shipped over the wharf, but in all probability that of Patea also. He was of opinion that no matter how much Patea might spend they would never make the port much bet-

tor than it was now. Many far-sighted people of that district foresaw that they would eventually have to ship through New Plymouth, but there was a prejudice against Moturoa that would remain until shipping companies could be got to load here. Loading dairy produce at Moturo.n. >"•■*-> TTome liners tvonld, he said, do away with the abominable transhipment which did so much damage, . especially to the cheese crates. It would mean less handling also, and the produce would therefore arrive on the markets in better condition. He referred to the statement that the graziers should have done more in

the matter, and said that the big men tvould be quite willing to put their money

into the concern when they found that the dairy farmer was doing likewise.

He enumerated the benefits that the latter would receive, and said that they would more than compensate the Cost of the shares. The questions of

Bite and share capital were also touched on, as at previous meetings. Mr. Morton also referred briefly to the success that other co-operative ventures had achieved.

Mr. A. Oamlin said that Home boats at New Plymouth would mean a savihg of the transhipment of imports. Mr. .Diggins urged every farmer to take a few shares, and also to support the works when established. He moved that this meeting is in favor of the pstablishmcnt of co-opprative meat freezing works in North Taranaki. This was seconded by Mr. E. Wheatley, and carried.

Mr. A. Morton further pointed out that the establishment of the works, and the shipment of the output over the wharf at Moturoa would preclude any possibility of a harbor rate being struck. He had always taken a keen Interest in the development of the harbor, and he considered that there was little doubt that unless the revenue increased a rate would have to be levied. He believed that dredging was now-be-imr done out of loan money. When thi3 was finished, dredging would have to be continued out of revenue, and within two or three, years a harbor rate would be necessary. If direct boats came to New [Plymouth, the revenue derived from the'exports and imports would more than provide sufficient revenue.

Twenty-seven of those in the room promised to take a total of 105 shares in all in lots varying from one to ten. Several had already put in their applications at Inglewood. Messrs. IT. Upper and E. Whcatlev were appointed delegates to attend the central meeting at Tnglcwood to-day. Votes of thanks to Mr. A. Mortoii.'the rliairman, and the Press terminated the meeting.