FROZEN MEAT TRADE

Taranaki Daily News, 20 November 1915, Page 10 (Supplement)

FROZEN MEAT TRADE

INTERESTING HISTORY. (From the Dominion). The frozen meat trade has been going on so long and so successfully that we are apt to forget those who originated it, and without whom the trade in the North Island might have been delayed considerably. We have (says the Farmers' Union Advocate) been handed a copy of the Manawatu Herald of Friday, June, ISSI. This paper was published by Mr. G. W. Russell and his brother, the former of whom is now Minister of Public Health. In the issue mentioned there appeared the following letter written by Sir Walter Buchanan before he was elected to Parliament, to Mr. John McLennan, who, as manager of the Oroua Downs Estate, was very keen to gafc the industry started. Ever since that day Sir Walter Buchanan has been closely connected with this industry. We should like, the Advocate adds, to see this letter framed and kept as a record of the doings of those days by Sir Walter Buchanan and his friends:— "Tupurupuru, Carterton, Wairarapa, June 7, 1881. "Dear Sir, —i have no doubt that you have watched with interest the progress already made in the export of frozen meat from the Australian colonies, and the steps which have lately been taken to form a company in Dunedin for the same purpose. Ever since the Mortgage Company of Sydney commenced their experiments, I have had a firm belief that a great increase in the price of produce through this means was only a question of time. The Protos and other shipments have now thoroughly proved the safety and profit of the frozen meat trade, can there be any doubt as to whether the settlers of the Wellington Provincial district ought to take the necessary steps at once to make several shipments (more or less) of surplus stock next summer and autumn? The past and present prices of stock in Otago have been, and now are, far higher than ours, and yet a ship is now being fitted up in Glasgow for the New Zealand and Australian Land Company, to load a cargo in December or January. This latter company has nothing to do with the company I first mentioned. But not only in meat is our opening much better than theirs, but with our thousands of acres pf uncleared bush lands, what on opening for our dairy produce! This latter will eventually, I feel convinced, be of greater importance than even our surplus meat. I have been assured by the New Zealand Shipping Company and by the agent for Shaw, Savill and Co., that plenty of shipping facilities will be forthcom. ing as soon as settlers show that they were in earnest by proceeding to erect the necessary freezing works ashore. From information obtained by the proposed Otago Company, the cost of machinery and buildings would not, I think, exceed £IO,OOO, and there ought to be no difficulty in raising this sum among settlers and business men. Until the West Coast railway is opened the freezing depot would have to be near Wellington, and at some future time we could —if quantity of surplus justified—have one in each district. We called a public meeting here at Carterton, for 22nd inst., to discuss the whole question, appoint a c.ommit- | tee to collect information, interview a meeting of business men in Wellington, and issue prospectus of the proposed company. The above aro merely the rough ideas of myself and two or three others, and of course are subject to any alteration that may he thought advisable. Co-operation between the East and West Coasts is at present a necessity, as neither district has a sufficient; large surplus to act independently with any chance of success. Committee or committees from your side should meet ours if possible in Wellington. I would bo glad to know your t oplnions generally on the matter as soon as possible, and no time should be lost. Copies of this letter have been sent to Messrs F Jackson, Wanganui; J. Stevens and R. Hammond, Bulls; David Peat and Wm. Lowes, Xukumaru; LyMight, Hawera, Moore and C'urrie and Freeman Jackson, Wanga-, nui; J. &. Baillie, New Plymouth; Owen and Lethbridge, Wangaehu. Yours faithfullv, W. C. BUCHANAN, President Wairarapa Pastoral Soi'iety." There were, of course, many others who helped him in this matter; but, like Thomas Brydon in Otago, and John Grigg, in Canterbury, Sir Walter Buchanan was head and shoulders above all in Wellington, going, as he did, at his own expense to Chicagi and paying several visits to London in tin- intou.-ts of the promoters. I', will be -c<mi >( ncludes the Advocate) how much the fanners have t,o thank the Cran.l Old Man of the Wairarapa.