The Maikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 1889.

Waikato Times, Volume 2620, Issue XXXII, 27 April 1889, Page 2

The Maikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 1889.

Equal and exact justice; to ;i 11 men. Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political.

Jx another column appears a letter from a correspondent, " Farmer," finding fault with the proposals of Messrs Nelson Bros,, acting in conjunction with the direct steamship companies, for the carrying on of the frozen meat trade between this colony and Great Britain, " Farmer" expresses the opinion that to accept the offer made would be tbe

death warrant of the fiockmasters. He supports this assertion by a question. It in ay be clear to our correspondent that the ocean freights charged by the companies on our meat have led to the depression. So far as our experience goes, however, th<? era of the depression set iu, before direct steamship companies took up the New Zealand trade in the spirited manner they have done. If the accusation of heavy freights was well founded we would find the frozen meat trade declining and crippled, if not obliterated. But the very reverse appears to be the case, and the exportation of meat from this colony has increased, year by year, in a marvellous manner. Thus, from 1882, in which year the exports of the new industry first find a place in statistics of the colony, the process of development has proceeded, ns the following figures will show :— Year. Exports, Value. cwts. £ 1882 15,244 19,339 1883 87.975 118,328 1884 254,069 345,090 1885 296,473 373,857 1886 34ti,05(S 427,193 ISS7 402,107 455,870 There is no indication here that the hearts of the flock-masters had been depressed by the conditions of the trade, of which the ocean freights are an important feature. Thero must have been great inducement to produce such a wonderful expansion in so few years, in spite of competition from foreign countries. So great is the expansion and so important is the trade from this colony, that it is already provoking keen conipetion for its possession amongst rival and powerful companies. Further, with regard to freights, they have been reduced from time, to time with the progress of the trade and the extent of the exports. When the meat was first carried by sailing vessels the charge was 2|d per lb. When the steamers took up the trade the freight was 2d per lb., and is now ljj-d per lb. for lambs, lid per lb. for sheep, with 10 per cent, primage, and lgd per lb. for beef. Thus the companies have not been slow in meeting the exigencies of the trade and

the interests of shippers. If this particular industry has suffered depression, which the statistics do not bear out, it is not owing to the freights, but for want of organisation that should secure a more direct approach to the Home consumers with protection from middlemen. The monopoly referred to by " Farmer "is fanciful. The two companies have possessed the carrying trade for years until they replaced their sailing fleets with steam vessals of so expensive a class that they were in reality cutting each other's throats in their competition with one another. The trade of New Zealand will hardly prove remunerative as yet to more competitors, but tihould others come into the field then it will be the exporters who will reap the benefit and will have the choice between them. The offer of Messrs Nelson Bros, is quite optional to the growers, who can ship at their own risks or sell their frozen meat right out to the combination. If growers are in a position to take the risk and can wait for returns, it would be better for them, to do so ; but, there are many in some parts of the colony who would not be in that advantageous position, and to these it will be of the greatest benefit and a certain incentive to dispose of their meat to the company for ready cash without any risk. The other new combination that has been spoken, of is reported to intend making a higher cash offer than the price quoted in the circular *f Nelson Tiros. The general features, however, are the same, and to enter into an agreement with one company will entail the " death warrant" with as much certainty as with the other. The flock-masters must decide which will be the most agreeable executioner for them. As far as we can judge there is no lack of competition promised, consequently " Farmer " seems to be crying before lie is hurt. There is no doubt much good will accrue from the direction matters in connection with this staplp industry are shaping. We should be ready to afford every encouragement to its development and to the expenditure of capital upon it, without the importation of jealous feelings and invidious conclusions. We stated before that after all expenses had been paid by the shippers, or growers, they would clear an average price, under the promised arrangements, of l|d per lb all the year round. This is equivalent to 8s 9d on the average carcase, a price more satisfactory than is to be usually depended on at the local saleyat'ds. Again, as demonstrating the effects of the offer of Messrs Nelson Bros, on all parties concerned, we give the following illustration of the division of the per centage, by which it will be seen that the growers are to be fairly treated.

fj \jo OGU2S l-7370 2'GO After yd Nelson Bros, receive 20 per cent, and the growers 80 per cent. The shipping companies will not participate after the price reaches 5d por lb,

The report of the school committee oloctions and other matters are held over till next issue. Mr McKerrow, Chief Commissioner of Railways, is on his way to Auckland on a visit of inspection. News from Samoa states there is no chance of saving either the Trenton or Yandalia. The Nipsic is preparing to come to Auckland for repairs, Mr Parkin, delegate from the Canadian Tmperiai Federation League, has been well received jn Christchurch, and stops are being talier. tlis?a fco form a local branch of tho League. The secretary of the Waikate Hospital, Mr Turner, has received from ftlr John Simpson, dog-tax collector at Mat&mata, the sum of £2 1?, being hia fees, a3 a 4ca.4jcß to the institution.

Our report of the presentation to Mr W. S. Stewart, of Cambridge is unfortunately crowded out of this issue. At the third day's meeting of the A..J.C. at Sydney, Carbine won the two principal weight-for-age events in brilliant ,»ty!e. S- Andrew's literary evenings are advertised to be resumed iu the parish school-room, Cambridge, beginning on Wednesday next, when Major Wilson will be the lecturer. We have received word that a large mob of dairy cows from Mr J. D. Ormond's station, Napier, passed Taupo on Wednesday, consigned to Mr J. McNicol, auctioneer, Cambridge. In addition to the Cambridge School the head teachership of another Waikato school will be vacant on the Ist of .Tune, Captain Hearn, tho present teacher, having asked the Board of Education to relieve him of tho charge of the Alexandra school at that date, he being about to enter mercantile life with an Auckland firm, MrH. Howden, jeweller, etc., of Hamilton, has shown us two handsome medals, which he intends to offer to the Hamilton volunteers, as prizes for shooting competition, One is a gold Maltese cross, plain, but solid, The other is a silver Victoria Cross, commemorative of the Jubilee year. In the centre is the head of Her Majesty, surrounded with a gold wreath, with a scroll below, having the words "Jubilee 1887" inscribed «n it. Between the four points of the cross aro four silver lions conjoined. Both medal > were manufactured in Mr Howden, senr.'s, establishment in Auckland, and are proof of colonial skill in this class of work. The calico ball in aid of the Waikato District Hospital, which takes place on Thursday next, in tho new building, promises to turn out a brilliant success. Tho ladies' committee has been most assiduous in its endeavours to carry tho affair out with credit, and all arrangements have been well organised. The prices of tho tickets bring tho event within everybody's reach, and as the object is a praiseworthy one, it is hoped a largo number of people ropresentative of Waikato will patronise it. Those who wish to contribute in any way towards the supper and refreshments, are desired to leave their donations at Mr J. Parr's store, not later than Wednesday.

Charges N, Bros, Ships Growers d il d d d 4 •:);» 0T>r. 1'20 2'2!) -lis -41 O-nn 1-30 2'2."> 4? M2 0-5875 l*3fi25 2-30 4j -45 0'G12r» 1-487.". 2'40 4? -47 0-0375 1"«125 2 '.'SO