The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 1913. DAIRY PRODUCE STORAGE.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 May 1918, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 1913. DAIRY PRODUCE STORAGE.

The decision arrived at yesterday by the representatives of the shareholding factories in the Taranaki Producers' Freezing Works, to erect additional cold storage accommodation at Smart Road instead of at Moturoa, reflects much credit on the intelligence and business ability of those concerned. Undoubtedly the step is one that will be of the greatest advantage to the producers of the province generally, and the details of the scheme, as outlined by Mr. A. Morton, give evidence of careful thought and foresight. There is no forecasting the length of time during which the present shortage of shipping may last, but it is quite clear that it is impossible to see another dairying season out with the existing cold storage accommodation. Having recognised this and decided to raise the neoersary share capital to cover the expense of* reasonable increase in storage room, the only question that remained was that of the locality. Mr. Morton placed the^poßition

before the. mccling lucidly, bi.tli ;i,i regards present requirements and I'uliirc prospects fur utilising- tint additional space. According in an estimate obtained by tliu direclors it would cost about £31,000 to provide the additional space needed at lloturoa for -10,'OUO more crates of cheese, but when normal times were again reached and regular shipments were made, it seemed almost a eertainty that the revenue to be derived from the additional rooms at the lloturoa, works v.'ould not sufHce to pay interest on the outlay, and, as the chairman pointed out, there "would be the maintenance of the building and Hie new plant, besides insurance, rates and taxes. On the other hand, by joining forces with the Farmers' Meat Company at .Smart Road the dairy .companies would gain several advantages and be relieved of any anxiety as to future utilisation of the increased space, the immediate gain being a saving' of some £OOOO, as instead of providing for si new building costing £31,000 (possibly more) it was only necessary to take up 25,000 snares in the Meat Company, it probably being only necessary to find £15,000 in the first four months and the balance within twelve months, and in the ordinary course of events it may reasonably be expected that the meat freezing industry in Taranaki will grow sufficiently in the near future to require all, and perhaps more, of tho increased accommodation. Xot the least of the advantages of the wise step that lias been made is the linking up of the two main industries of Taranaki, The advantages of unity have been strikingly illustrated during the war, and they are equally vital in the realm, of industry. The producers of Taranaki are to be congratulated on the progressive move which has been decided upon, and if they are loyal to the two companies which have now joined hands, they will possess assets that should largely increase in value in the future, while they will succeed in overcoming the urgent requirements of the present.