The Hawera Star. FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 1924. THE PATEA MEAT WORKS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 1 August 1924, Page 4

The Hawera Star.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 1924. THE PATEA MEAT WORKS.

Delivered eyery evening by 6 o’clock in Hawera, Manaia, Normanby. Okaiawa, Eltham, Mangatoki, Kaponga, Awatuna, Opunake, Otakeua Manutahi, Alton, Rurleyville, Pate*, Waverley, Mokoia, Whakatnara, Oiiangar, Meremere, Fraser Road, and

On Monday next the shareholders of me J'atea manners’ Co-op. Aieat \' oi ks meet to finally consider the amalgamation proposals which have been under consideration for some time past, and tnis meeting will also ne the final opportunity for the committee who have had the matter in hand to submit the result of the effort to retain the works in operation upon the very favourable terms which the guarantors have offered. : In our advei tisement columns the committee outlines the position to-day, which shows that two-thirds of the necessary capital (£30,000) to be provided by the public has been' subscribed, leaving rather less than £IO,OOO to be still subscribed if the committee is to be in the position on Monday next of stating that its effort has been successful. The facts of the case have been fully published, and it has been generally conceded that the terms on which the valuable works can be acquired arc unique in regard to their generous nature. In such circumstances it may well be a matter for wonder why .the . moderate amount of £30,000 (for spread over the area it is a very moderate sum) has'not readily been subscribed. We think it can be accepted that there are two reasons responsible for the fact that the full amount has not been subscribed: (1)

Mistrust of farmer controlled organisations; (2) the want of money in' the case of the average farmer concerned. If the terms of the offer of the guarantors are examined we think any doubts coming under the first head will be dispelled. In regard to the second point, there is more to be said. No doubt a great many of those on the land are having a hard time and have not a penny to spare, but there are many who are in quite a different position and could easily give such as sistance as would # ensure the success of the scheme. Those who have been actively concerned with efforts for community welfare are too well acquainted with the fact that there are two classes who have to be considered: (1) those who. have a; competence and can afford to be indifferent; and (2) those who have to struggle so hard to make a living that they have neither time nor money to give. The latter class are very often fully alive to the benefits of the particular scheme advocated, but- are very much in the position of the man who has to let his life insurance policy lapse because he cannot find the. money for the premiums. He is the very man who most needs to protect his dependents by such insurance, but circumstances with cumulative effect work against him. If the ■arguments and facts advanced by the committee who are working for the retention of the Pa-tea Meat Works have any force, 'and we think they have, the case is clearly one of community insurance. Directly, as well as indirectly, the farmer will be a gainer, and when this is the case every other section of the community shares in the gain. The , committee makes an urgent appeal for a final effort to secure the benefits they 4 are striving for. and on the merits of the case they should succeed.