The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. THURSDAY, MAY 1, 1890.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2777, 1 May 1890, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

THURSDAY, MAY 1, 1890.

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

Tiik remarks in our leader of the 26th inst., have at any rate, had the effect of keeping the frozen meat question prominently before our agriculturists. Mr Clarke, the chairman of the Farmers Club, and one of those taking an active part in the proposed freezing schemes, has, no doubt, good grounds for making the statements contained in his letter which appeared in our last issue, about the number of sheep available for the purpose. We shall only be too glad to be proved entirely wrong in the position we assumed when stating that we feared the number of sheep required by the guarantees would not be forthcoming.

Last night we received from our Auckland correspondent some important information in this connection. From this source we learn that the Auckland Freezing Company, at any rate, have good grounds for anticipating the increased demands upon them for freezing and shipping in the near future. We learn the Company has recently ordered from England a Haslam refrigerator of nearly double the size and power of the machine they at present possess, and which they expect to have ready by the Ist of November. With the increased appliances the company will be in a position to freeze and store equal to SOOO sheep per month, and they intend to arrange for a cargo of this quantity to bo despatched monthly. More than this tho company, though preferring to handle mutton, are prepared to freeze and ship beef at tho option of the farmers. We understand also, that although the company has asked for a two years' guarantee in its recently issued

circular, that this will be no bar to farmers applying for space for this year, and having it allotted to them, the preference, however, naturally being giren to those who are prepared to give the guarantee for the longer period. This information is important and encouraging in the fullest degree. The Freezing Company sliow ) by their action in this matter, that they are convinced an increasing trade is to be done in the frozen meat industry. They have already received applications for a large amount of space during the coming season, and anticipate a still further demand being made on their accommodation. The flocks in Waikato are increasing, and will continue to do so much more rapidly in the future. The company will thus be in a position to keep pace with all requiremests that may be placed upon it by the fanners. We would however impress upon our farmers the impor- < tance to themselves of the Company's extension of freezing power. They can now rest assured that any stock they may wish to brinn forward for freezing, can be dealt with in a prompt manner, and moot with expeditious shipment. This should certainly act as an incentive to them to extend their operations in sheep grazing. The recent overtures that have been made to them in this respect, and the steadily increasing facilities which are offered to them, should remove any doubts they may previously have entertained against embarking- in this industry. The Freezing Company will be exercising their propor functions in tho community

in thus profitably utilising all surplus stock produced in the district. We think it would be well if the farmers could come to some understanding; amongst themselves as to what they will be prepared to do next season and to begin making their preparations at once, ft is important that early application should bo made for space. The necessity for this arises from the fact that the companies have to make all arrangements for the shipping of meat to London months in advance. If our farmers, therefore, formed an estimate of what they could do in the way of supply for the coming season, and applied for the necessary space, they would then know exactly what the charges would be, and that the necessary accomodation would be provided for them. Besides the direct benefit derived from the freezing and sale of surplus stock, there is an indirect benefit that must accrue to the district, asd which is a very real and substantial one. The certainty of the disposal of our surplus stock would re-act at once upon the value of our country lands and the further certainty that under a guarantee a definite price could be calculated upon .would at once enhance the value of large tracts of country at present unoccupied. We think as an earnest of their belief in the scheme some published list of the names of guarantors and the numbers of e.hei?p proposed to be shipped should be prepared by the promoters in this movement, it would materially help forward the matter ; many others would be thus induced to add their quota, now waiting for a lead, and, above all, it would shew some self-reliance and faith in the success of the undertaking.