GERALDINE FARMERS’ CLUB.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2801, 11 April 1895, Page 2

GERALDINE FARMERS’ CLUB.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Geraldine Formers’ Club was held on Monday evening last, when there was s fair attendance of members present. CORRESPONDENCE. A letter was read from the Director of the Lincoln College in reply to club’a request re seed potatoes, that ho had planted upwards of twenty different kind* of potatoes, the greater part of which was imported. He would be pleased to send down, as per advertisement, small quantities of each for distribution among members of the club. In reply to the club, Mr J. Campbell, Woodbury, wrote that ho found the drain plough gave him great satisfaction, but where ploughing was done 20 inches deep it gave th < bust results. He intended uoiiig over all his wet laud with it thie wiubV, using ten horses, and ploughing

deep. Mr Francis Franks, Temuka, wrote with respect to footrut, that it seemed strange ' -m ou the Chathams were not (hat sow.,. • o; Measo While there affected with this o. , .... ho made enquiries and fouua this was owin'' to the peaty nature of the sod. the tannin from which prewrvod the sheep from footrut. Ho suggested that att experiment should bo made to see u tannin would cure the footrot disease, 110 hail on baud a sack of ground wattle bark and would fool pleasure in supplying :i few hand full to anyone applying at thg factory for it to experiment,

DISTRIBUTION OF FROZEN MEAT. Mr M. C. Crbell, president, read the following paper on the “ Distribution of our Frozen Meat” : —“ It appears to me that the lime has arrived when a determined effort should be made to place the distribution of our frozen meat upon a different basis. The question is of such vital importance to every settler in New Zealand that I make no apology for bringing the subject under the notice of farmers and graziers. Our sheep and lambs are sailing in London at rho present time at most ruinous prices—little or no better than boiling-down values. I feel convinced that we cannot go on producing at current prices; the average being 3d per lb or less for mutton, aud 4d per lb for lamb, and 2d per lb has to be deducted from these rates for charges. It is therefore imperative that a departure from tho present system be made. The Press has published most interesting articles upon the question, and I am surprised that apparently no notice has been taken of them. With these articles I agree, and I wish to acknowledge that I am indebted to the writer for some of my arguments. Ever since we began the export trade of frozen mutton I venture to assert that nine-tenths of the producers have held the opinion that we should never get fair values until the disposal of the meat was established upon co-operative principles. In its early history, from want of capital it was allowed to drift into the hands of two or three firms in Loudon, aud, so far as we are interested, the system has been a moat miserable failure. We are shipping the primest meat our flocks produce, and so difficult is it for the consumer to distinguish whether it is frozen or not, that it is being sold as English-grown mutton. This abuse has been allowed to go on for years without any effectual effort being made to prevent it. We cannot expect the agents to raise their voice or use their influence to put a stop to such a practice; it must bo dealt with in a more public manner. I know a large exporter of frozen meat who thinks it a good thing that the meat is sold as English or Scotch ; upon what principle he bases his opinion I cannot conceive. Recently the Loudon County Council had reason to suspect that the coal consumed in London was being sold in a fraudulent manner. It employed men to investigate. A few offenders were punished, aud the result was an estimated saving to consumers of £500,000 sterling per annum. At the present time oue of the Australian Colonies has reason to believe that its butter is being tampered with, and the Government immediately cables Home to its Agent-General to enquire into the matter with the view of preventing it. Why should not similar steps be taken to prevent frauds being perpetrated by provincial butchers with our frozen mutton ? The fact of our meat being sold so readily as Englsh and Scotch proves its quality. I contend that a different method of distribution should be adopted. Messrs Nelson Bros, aud Weddell and Co. practically have the trade in their hands. (I refer to the wholesale trade), and not only that of New Zealand but Australia, River Plate, aud a large portion of Argentina as well. For several years these firms rendered ue really good service, but I think we have now reached an era when wo should express ourselves as dissatisfied—not with the companies alluded to—but wi h the system ; and it is of the utmost importance to us that we should provide another, and unless we do so, the consequences may be most disastrous to the colony. Our frozen meat industry is one of our mainstays, and if that fails us, as it threatens to do, will anyone predict the effect upon the country ? We are already feeling in a comparatively slight degree what may happen, in the low prices we are now obtaining locally for our sheep and lambs. This will be much intensified if we cannot raise the price of our meat at Home. The tendency is still to lower values. The price of wool has something to do with ths price of stock, but not so much as the price at which meat is selling in Loudon. lam well aware of the difficulties that surround the question of altering the present system of distribution. Large interests have sprung up, both at Home and in the colony, aud any new proposal would undoubtedly meet with immediate opposition. But this should not prevent a subject of such importance being discussed, aud a remedy if possible found to bring so desirable an object to a successful issue. In my opinion co-operation is the direction in which to proceed, but, an the Press remarks, it would be of no avail unless the interests of all present associations were combined, aud the entire business carried on under oue organisation. Nelson Bros., we are led to believe, are prepared to treat for the disposal of their business. If this is correct, it would be an important point gained. The chief difficulty, I apprehend, would be in the purchase of the freezing companies in the colony, but I don’t imagine that would be insurmountable. If Nelson Bros.’ business could be obtained, aud arrangements made with the freezing companies, and merge the whole trade into a Colonial Co-operative Association, the rest of tho enterprise would be a question of finance to which I will presently refer. The object would be to consolidate the trade, do away with m iddlemen, get rid of abuses, get rid of enormous expenses, and last, but not least, get better prices for our sheep and lambs, not only in London but in the colony as well. What more humiliating spectacle than that of a recent meeting of gentlemen in London interested in the disposal of our mutton, to discuss a means of regulating the market, when, according to a press cablegram, they found it impossible on account of conflicting interests. These “conflicting interests” must be abolished by exporters ; it will never be do ue otherwise. To carry out the co-operative plan would, of course, require a large capital. I don’t for a moment think that it would be beneficial to producers to enter upon such a system as some gentlemen suggest, viz., freezing works on the co-operative principle, independent of each other, in isolated positions. You still have the powerful influences to combat with in England. To be successful the entire trade should be under one directory Uur present export is 2,000,000 carcases, and this number is not likely to be materially increased for several years. The c.ayir.-il required to carry on the proposed sell • an' would probably be about £2.000,00:), md I necessarily all called up. To .some of you I this may appear a very largo sum, out compared with companies and institutions ! now-.a-days it really is not. There is a . co-operative company that has boon i

established many years in Manchester that caters for the people in bacon, che' se, butter, Hour and oiher products of I he farm. The sales of (his company a y -a: or two ago amounted (o nearly 110,<!(>:), p r annum. ()ur company wool 1 beam ,!1 by comparison. It has alliliated societies in all parts of England and Se (land, and has depots in New York, (birmany, and Denmark. It is on a similar system to this that I should like to see our frozen moat dealt with. The capita! might bo raised largely by share subscription. It would bo an investment, there is little doubt, that would bo woll supported by

' capitalists at Home, and as the question is one of such importance to the colony, I . t/nnk, with the Press, that the GovornI irient might assist by guaranteeing the I debenture stock; the security being the i asset? of the company. A Bill would have j to be passed by Parliament giving the Government authority to enter into an arrangement and if, say, £500,000 worth of debentures were so guaranteed at 4 per cent, it would be £20,000 per annum, the amount now raised by our sheep rate. Provision might be made in the Bill to I increase this rate, if at any time the ini terest fell into arrears ; a very improbable 1 event. No sheep owner, 1 imagine, would object to this power being given as I collateral security, as their sheep would be increased in value, aud they could rely on them being sold at legitimate prices in London. No meat but New Zealand would be sold by the Association in London or in any province or county where affiliated societies were established. The meat would be properly graded, and I think no one should be allowed to ship his stock unless he were a shareholder, however small. We should require every sheepowner to take an interest in the welfare of the company. Our present Government professes to be a farmers’ Government, and if such a proposal as 1 have roughly sketched could be carried into effect it would be of incalculable advantage in the spending power of the country. Under the circumstances I see no objection to the Government being approached in the matter, and their support if possible obtained. As I have before stated 1 am well aware of the many difficulties that will require to be overcome, aud it will take men of resolute minds to conquer them. I would suggest that a conference be held comprising sheepowuers from all parts of the colony. 1 look upon the question as a colonial oue, and the Government, through the Agricultural Department, might take the initiative, aud invite such a conference; also ascertain by circular or otherwise the opinious'J of the various Chambers of Commerce and A. and P. Association*. Probably, if the proposed company were a success, it might undertake the distribution of our butter and cheese, aud the position might be strengthened, because unless more discretion is displayed in dealing with this industry than has been with the frozen meat it will drift into tho same unsatisfactory state. If the entire business was conducted from one centre there would be a great saving of expense ; reforms would be more easily accomplished. The charges of frozen meat have been reduced since 1882 from over

3d per lb to 2d, a penny of which is paid for freight. This and the London charges are still excessive. We are told that the Shipping Companies are not paying, aud I believe it. I’hora are too many steamers for the passenger traffic fitted up too luxuriantly for the carriage of frozen meat; it is such vessels as these that incur the loss. What are termed the “cargo boats” I imagine have to make up these losses. Can anyone conceive that these latter vessels do not pay I They carry a fair amount of outward cargo for Australia, as well as New Zealand, and return Homo with 60,000 or 70,000 carcasses of mutton. Say each carcass weighs 001 b, this means a freight on mutton alone at Id per lb. of £16,000, and I believe they are expected to make three trips in tho year, or nearly so. I feel convinced that if tho frozen system is to be continued tho freight and charges will have to be reduced, but I am sanguine enough to believe that the day is not far distant when the meat instead of being frozen will be chilled, or what will be still bettor—aud it seems not at all improbable—the sheep will be s nt Home alive. There are many who will condemn these proposals, and especially

that of apppealing to the Government. If the project could be promoted without its aid I would oppose it also. I feel that it is useless to expect private individuals to move in the matter; gentlemen who generally lead in such questions are too much interested in the freezing companies to do so, but if the Government were to enter upon the preliminary stages [ feel sure that the scheme would be facilitated, and taken up by producers and carried through successfully. Crude, as the plan is that I have imperfectly sketched is oue that affords matter for consideratio”. It assuredly will not pay to go on shipping the primest mutton we produce for a net return of less than a penny per lb., plus skins and fat. We

may as well resort to boiling down unless a more satisfactory system is established for its distribution. We are all directly or indirectly interested; it is of the utmost importance to everyone. The prosperity of the colony is largely dependent upon obtaining bettor prices, and it is the duty of all to exert their influence, and see that a better method for the disposal of our mutton is secured. A dis.'ussiou followed tho reading of Mr Orbell’s paper. Mr H. B. Webster was in favor of a special meeting being called to consider the president’s scheme, lie might state that some years ago a similar scheme was proposed with £IOO,OOO capital—half at Home aud half here—but peoples’ hands were tied and the matter had to be dropped. Vested interests had now further increased. Freezing companies were now boiling down, as well as feezing, and paying as much attention to the former as to the latter. One company had opened a butcher’s shop and was buying sheep at Is and selling the hind quarters at 2s. The matter should be well discussed at a special meeting. Mr D. McLeod agreed with Mr Webster.

Mr B. R. Macdonald quoted cases were New Zealand mutton had been sold at Home as best Welsh, to show how impossible it was to say how New Zealand mutton was retailed at Home. Freezing companies were all cutting each others’ throats, while the poor producer, the farmer, was not thought of.

Mr A. White disagreed with the remarks that Now Zealand mutton was not sold as New Zealand mutton. It vv,is considered rh? host in the market. Hu thought that the capital required hy the president’s scheme was too great. Hr llislop state! the reason why Argentine moat was getting such a hold in the North of England was that their -te,-unship lines all ran m Liverpool wh.uva-- mir lines wont to ■ ondon. We honi! have centres in the i. ■rtli fir tfi'oi uni. 1!. V. po; gspon tl. 'II d there Wonhl :o,a ■di hc'i liy mi r.ii.-.isgi h. capital it all pfooncer.s in Zo-.i:. 11 ,1 • o a tho miii or n;i aml to i'; Z~) share-. 'll Fara:>..-s’ t.'luli.i and A. A I*. AssooiuNims ;dt mid odco np i he one.-d mu.

Tit : Provident said lint most of the capital could im raised in England,easily, if tho (invri'Mciit would guarantee half■i million at 4 per cent. There would not be much ddikniliy .vith the vested interests at Home. The chief reform was reijuired at i lmu« in the distribution. Mr A. McKenzie was glad that tho ipie-imm wa-, st u-lod, and hoped it Would bo c irrie 1 through. It was no use to fatten sheep as matters were at present, and the sooner some change was made the better. Tho system of buyipg sheep hero shopl’A bo altered, as buyers had ;t

a,II their own way. It would be a good lung - o p-y some one to canvass the country, proposing the scheme in different places throughout the colony. Mr Webster proposed and Mr Hawkins seconded— “ That a special meeting of tho members of tho club be called for Wednesday, April 24th, to discuss the whole scheme of distribution of frozen meat.”—Carried. Mr Webster proposed and Mr K,. Y. Ferguson seconded —“That a committee, consisting of tho president, the secretary, Messrs Hawkins, Macdonald, aud ths mover, be appointed to prepare the necessary programme for the successful carrying out of the foregoing resolution.” Carried.

A unanimous vote of thanks was passed to the president for his paper aud the meeting terminated.