FREEZING WORKS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8250, 3 October 1906, Page 6

FREEZING WORKS.

(lo the Editor). Sir, —The establishment of meatfreezing works ia the vicinity of Masterton has been freely discussed during the last ten years, and I propose to enumerate some of the reasons why nothing has been done, and why it is highly desirable that no further time should be lost in getting to work. Up to the present the great wealth and influence of the gigantic Wellington corporations have sat on anything proposed, and show a hundred reasons why the business can be better carried on in the Empire City; but each one of these reasous can be traced either to the advancement of the city or the pockets of the shareholders in the two companies which are dow monopolising the trade. That these companies have answered a useful purpose there oan be no question, but the day has now arrived when the country districts must look after themselves and deal with their produce to the very best advantage both to themselves and tho district. Anyhow, there can ire no question that there is ample room for a third company, and that, with the cordial and substantial support of the farmers, its success, both as an investment and a monej-saver, would be assured. The cost of railage, according to published schedule, for live sbeep and frozen sheep, is much the same from Masterton to Wellington, tho latter being 21a 5d per ton at D rate, but if carried; in the same class as butter, cheese, flax, bonedust. eto., the rate would only be 8s Id per ton, or about one-third that of live stock. The truuks for live stock are not used for back carriage, but frozen meat trucks could certainly be used. The most important consideration, however, to my mind is that the stock are killed near their own pasture, and the meat will prove to be of superior quality. Re-

jeoted sheep can be returned to the farmer ana not sacrificed as a pre sent; losses by bruising will be almost nil; and manure, so urgently required in the distriot, will not be subject to railage both ways as at present. If the farmers will oome forward and give the support which the project deserves, there is no reason, that I can see, why it should not be run under co-opera-tive principles; out, if uapithl is to be found, thoae embarkiug in the enterprise will require a fair share of the profits. Freezing works started now have great, advantages i over those started ten .or even one year ago, as all the most, up-to-date maohiuery dan be installed whereas the old companies ha\o replaoed their's time after time. I antioii-ate that if this nrojoct takps bold every argument will be used by interested parties lo squelch it, and very substantial arguments in some oases may be used, but; if farmers will consider the many groat advwntages, especially iu the oase of fat lambs, of freeziug their sheep near the pasture, 1 am sure nothing will deter them from joining together and ereetinc woiks which will be equal to anything in the world, and which will prove a benefit to labour, to business, and, ahove all, to those who raise the stock.— Yours, etc., DONALD DONALD.