The Wairarapa Daily SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, 1889. Co-Operative Industries.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 3279, 10 August 1889, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, 1889. Co-Operative Industries.

' In our issue of the Bth instant, a correspondent, writing under the nowk-phimc '.'Progress," advocated the promotion in Mastorton of co- , operative local industries,. Theietter was of some value, as the writer had thought out the subject upon which he .'wrote, and tho proposals which he made wero reasonable and moderate, Still there is much to b,e said on the ethor side of tho question, and there are practical difficulties in developing local industries which we fear ho has overlooked, In indicating some of them we do not desire to throw cold water on any project which is calculated to promote the interests of the town and district, hut merely to assist those who are interested in discussing such subjects, in arriving at an accurate conclusion. Our correspondent points out the advantage of co-operative industries in providing a local market for produce Produoers already have, to a large extent, a satisfactory market in Wellington, and, with the facilities which the railway, offers for transit, they are less dependent upon a local demand than they were in eavljer days, Still, alocaldomand, if obtainable, would be a distinct advantage to producers, though the weak point in tliis district is, perhaps, not so much the .need of a market as a want of enterprise amongst the producers themselves. Settlers, as ft I'ulp, liave been able to make a living without any ypry great exertion, and in very many instances they are too contented with their present lot to exert the effort whioh puld bo required to bring about a change, The speciftc'reGprnnieudation 'of our correspondent is the intraRuction, of local freezing and pr.eser.y.ing works, and in connection therewith the establishment of kindred industries, such as fpllmongering, glue, and artificial manure manufactures, Now these

we industries which could, one would think, bo carried on with . advantage in a centre like Masterton, ; but experience has proved that they cannot be always pursued with profit. Two or three years ago two gentlemen who are supposed to possess ample capital did erect meat preserving works in this neighborhood, and commenced operations, but finding that the industry could not he profitably carried on, discontinued their enterprise. Now, it is very evident if a couple of shrowd capitalists, with good business knowledge, could not make the meat preserving pay, the chances of a co-operative company would be less hopeful. However, if prices are now better' than formerly there would probably be suitable premises and plant immediately available for starting such an industry. Indeed, if it can bo shown that such an enterprise can be successfully launched, there is certainly plenty of local capital available. The dairy industry, though not named by our correspondent, is one that might be greatly developed by co-operative efforts. We have frequently called attention to the industry as one which is specially necessary to a district like this. Now that business is somewhat depressed in Masterton, and at the same time there is a prospect of tetter times setting in, it would be well for property holders and residents generally to bestir themselves, and talk over any feasible project which may be suggested. The time has now arrived when now enterprises may be prudently launched i provided they are' of a character which meets the special conditions 1 and requirements of producers. It is a matter of conmparativo indifference whether such industries be started by private enterprise or by co-operative effort so long as they are inaugurated, We are not over sanguine of any . speedy or rapid development of local , industries, but we do feel that the s present time is a more favorable one for initiating them than any period during the past few years.