The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. THURSDAY, APRIL IS, 1889.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2616, 18 April 1889, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

THURSDAY, APRIL IS, 1889.

Equal and exact justice to all men, _ Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political.

EviDKXCKhas been given during the past few weeks of increased energy and spirit of enterprise in tho 'frozen meat trade. Our telegrams informed us only the other day lhat a powerful company was in course of formation in England to run large ocean steamers specially built to carry immense cargoes of meat from New Zealand, and that Inigo refrigerators are to bo constructed for storing the carcases, anil that branches for the distribution of the meat would be established in some of the chief ports of Clreat Britain with agencies in the leading provincial towns. We have seen what strides this industry has been making since its inauguration a few years ago, until it is now one of the most important afleeting the wealth and prosperity of this colony, following up tho somewhat vague information contained in the cable news to which wo have just referred, our readers are presented with a letter in another column that will be road by them with very great interest. This is a circular from Messrs Nelson Bros., a wellknown firm of shippers in Wellington, forwarded by their Auckland agents, .Messrs L. D. Nathan and Co.. and which is about to bo issued to the various sheep-owners in the district. The firm appears to represent a strong combination of shipping companies in London, who are developing the trade upon new lines. The leading feature in the proposed arrangements is the payment in cash to tho shipper for his shipments at a fixed scale, which secures him the minimum market price with a guaranteed additional payment should the shipments realise more than ordinary prices. The company will take the entire risk of the shipments upon themselves from the time they have passed over the vessel's side and the shipper has received his cash and gone his way, relieved of any further onus in connection with his parted flocks. The prices offered are unquestionably liberal, and should prove a decided incentive to the pastoral industry and the expansion of the trade. The company propose to classify the meat in three- grades. For the first quality mutton lijd per lb. will be paid, f.0.b., and should it sell in the English market alsove the shipper will be allowed forty per cent, of the excess, and eighty per cent .if it realises over ikl per lb. Second - class mutton will be paid for at the rate of IJd and third class at tho rate of IJd per Ib, with similar allowance as in tin , - lir.it grades, should there be any excess resiliscd in the KnglMi markets. The company will pay fen- lirst-olass I i.ml):.',{(l per ib, and -2{<\ I'or secondi rlaw lamb, the extra pf>v centage ; tils-o being guaranteed as in tho case of sheep. ' These prices are over and above the cost of freezing, which i,i to bo provided for by the shipper ■ at hid own cost. This process is ' ■■ ••" T'led on terms by the Freezing

,' , ,-uiy at an average, we believe, of one halfpenny per carcase. Taking everything iuto account, sl'-'r.Mors undov the agroomont with My;,vr.j Nolsou Bivs. w IUo pry-

posed scheme would be sure to net mure than 1-Jtl per lb on all their sheep" throughout the year This ought to bo very satisfactory, for they will have had the produce of tho sliecps' backs and also tho net proceeds of tho offal or skins sold by the Freezing Company. The form of contract with the new company carries with it a stipulation for tho supply of a rog-ular equal quantities of frozen meat for a period of twelve months, and includes any surplus over the quantify the shipper may have lor disposal. This is intended to secure the whole of the carrying trade to the company. It is mad'-optional for a shipper to continue the contract on tho same terms for another year, or to consign his meat to Messrs Nelson and f.'o. for disposal on his own risk and to sell the. shipments on their merits. In the hitter case Uie shipper pays the current rate of freight and takes the risks of the consignment. It will have been observed that these arrangements refer only to frozen mutton. Now, as the quality of New Zealand beef is iiHclnilienjiCible in its superiority, we are convince 1 we are reflecting the mind of our graziers in expressing surprise that a combination on such a scale and displaying so much spirit, has not included the export of that important item of colonial production. There are unlimited supplies of prime beef in thu colony to be drawn upon, and the breeders of fat cattle would, no doubt, be as pleased with similar facilities for disposing of their stock as sheepowners are of theirs. Further information on this important subject will probably be forthcoming, when we shall again refer to it for the benefit of our readers.