The Daily News. TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1917. OPENING OF MEAT FREEZING WORKS.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 January 1917, Page 4

The Daily News. TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1917. OPENING OF MEAT FREEZING WORKS.

Tiie opening of the Tannaki Farmers' Meat Freezing Works at Smart road yesterday marks another .•mportaut forward stride in the progics's and prosperity of the province, nore especially of its .northern portion. Those who took part in the pioneer work of settlement ti.n best appreciate the marvellous development which has characterised the march of time since the bush gave way to pastures and clearings permitted the use of the plough. The most prominent factors in Taranaki's progress have been the fertility of the land and the abundant- moisture that furnishes so ample n supply of feed for cattle and sheep, but the twA levers that have transformed Taranaki into the most productive and profitable district of the Dominion ars undoubtedly artificial freezing appliances and co-operation. They have made the dairying industry what it is to-day—the backbone of Taranaki's wealth —but until they were applied to meat for export the industrial edifice wat: incomplete. It may therefore be cltimeti that the erection cf the freezing works at Smart road wan the crowning stone needed to ensure the farmers the full benefit of their produce, skill, labor, judgment and enterprise. It lias to be remembered that there, are in and adjacent to Taranaki largo areas of land only stiitble' for grazing, so that the interests of the farming community could not be adequately advanced until both dairymen and graziers were provided with facilities for preparing their produce for overseas markets. Thanks tj the wisdom and enterprise of the community this dual essential has now bee:; obtained. Dairymen ha\e long been reaping the advantage of their co-operu-tive factories, but until yesterday the graziers were not so advantageously- situated. The fanners of Taranaki have now the. control of their own freezing works, and it rests with them whether ih; works will prove a prat'fying success or a regrettable failure. The erection of the Smart road work? itndetf the specially unfavorable conditions is a matter calling foi much commendation. The disorganisation of labor and the greatly enhance'! price of materials were factors that might well have dismayed the stoutest hearted men, but in spite of these heavy handicaps the farmers have one of th: most up-to-date and completely equipped freezing works in the Dominion, at a cost that is by no mean? excessive. The works are there, and the most ciiieient management has been secured. It is for the producers to do the '.'est. Success depends entirely 011 the loyalt'y of the shareholders, who may, by the way, be congratulated on the pre-eminently fitting choice made of directors of the concern. If every shareholder having sheep or cattle for export makefe it a matter of principle to utilise the works in which he is directly interested to the utmost of his power, both personaily and by influencing his neighbors, then the fanners of Taranaki will realise the full profit of their produce. It is loyalty and energy that will make the works the great success that is their due. At no time in the history of Xew Zealand's e>port trade have the prospects for frozen meat been so good as; they are today. The commencement that was made yesterday must, therefore be regarded as ! most auspicious, and when the full stall is at work and the supply of sheep and ci'.ttle coming forward ift sufficient to keen the men busy, the farmers will

| ' ——v I realise the great importance of their latest act of enterprise, and. extension the co-operative principle.