THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2779, 6 May 1890, Page 2

THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

TO THK EDITOR. .Sin,— Believing that the surest way to "settle the land" is to secure a steady remunerative market for what the settlers produce, I saw in the export of frozen meat and dairy produce a means to that end, and in 1880-1 1 went to Orange, about 150 miles inland from Sydney, to inspect the freezing works then just established there. On my return to Wellington, between 40 and 50 southern members of both Houses, and others met and appointed the Hon. Mr Waterhouse, Mr George Beetham of Wairarapa. Mr W. 0. Buchanan of Te Purapura,a leader in the Gear Meat Coinpany.and myself a committee to prepare a report which was left to me, and was published in Wellington and southern papers of the time. This and another report by Col. Wales on the Footscray Freezing Works, Melbourne, also appeared. I stated in my report, " the vicissitudes and uncertainty of the Australian climate must be a serious, if not fatal difficulty to the success of the frozen meat export, but in New Zealand from our great advantages in growing root and green crop* and artificial grasses there was practically no limit to the increase of our stock carrying capacity, and the development of the export trado in wool, frozen meat, and produce, if we had only n remunerative and unlimited market." Time is proving the truth ot my forecast, and while the removing of prejudices and rectifying of mistakes are on the one hand creating a vast demand, on the other hand improved appliances are cheapening production and placing the products on outside markets with increasing certainty and economy, the want of which caused failure in many of our earlier efforts. I have read some of the letters in your columns from Mr Clark and other*, suggesting various plans to obtain for our part of the colony full benefit from the report of frozen meat, and dairy produce, wool, hides, etc. One is to arrange with the Auckland Freezing Company, against this the Maxwellian system of railway mismanagement is a serious objection but which may be overcome eventually by a complete change, so that the railways may confer the fullest possible public benefit. But while we are getting rid of our "Old man of the mountain," a certain adage may be confirmed about " horses starving till the grass grows." We must " move the spheres " to get thorough railway reform and it may then suit in connection with the Freezing Company to have abbatoirs in Waikato (where the refuse would be useful for manures), and send the mutton and beef in suitable cars direct to the Freezing Stores in Auckland. By and bye it might be well to have a branch freezing place in Waikato where cheap coal and pure air and water would be favourable. I think that the above suggestion will answer the second proposal, that is that the Waikato farmers should start freezing works themselves in Waikato. I fancy that most farmers need all their cash to carry on and get mutton, and especially lambs, ready for this export trade. The third proposal well deserves consideration, not as alternative but as another also to be adopted, viz., Tauranga Freezing Works. Messrs Nelson Bros, have the needed capital, connection and appliances, and especially the organized distributing arrangements in Europe, without which success would be but partial. If Messrs Nelson's terms are reasonable they will secure a large and increasing amount of business. The difficulty of taking lambs is not a practical one; I speak from long and wide experience. Let the track through the bush to Tauranga (Thompson's track) be felled at once several chains wide (now is the time to begin it), and in 10 months hence, before the winter rains, burn off and sow in cocksfoot, clover and ribgrass. At the same time and in like manner bush might be cleared and prepared for accommodation paddocks. The funds to do this would be small and could be advanced by Government to the combined county councils of Tauranga and Piako, in whom tho road and paddocks would be vested in trust for the public. A small sum from the accumulated sheep rate would pay the interest ; we have surely as much right to expect this as the Canterbury squatters to have it for rabbit fences. Assuming the bush land to belong to Government I have written to the Commissioner of Crown Lands suggesting a sufficient tomporary reservation thereof.—l am, &c. , W. Anon. Murray. Mount Pleasant, April 30th, 1890.