THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIV, Issue 10705, 15 July 1895, Page 3

THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

A meeting was held at Timarn on Saturday afternoon-under the anspices of the Agricultural and Pastoral-Association, to hear from Mr M. C. Orbell, of Geraldine, an explanation of hia scheme for forming a co-operative company to acquire the meat freezing works in the colony and to establish an independent distributing system at Home. Mr D. M’Laren, president of the Association, occupied the ohair, Mr Orbell spoke of the present system, after fourteen, years* experience, as a failure. Hia proposal was to form a cooperative company with a capital of two millions, raised partly on shares and partly on debentures. He would ask the Government to guarantee the latter up to half a million in amount and at 4 per cent j interest, the Government to recoup themselves for any payment under the guarantee by levying a sheep tax, which at the most would equal the present sheep tax of id par head. Mr . Orbell defended the guarantee proposal by referring to other industries whichwere given State support in one way or other. Mr Orbell replied to some questions as.to the sufficiency of the capital suggested, that he had not gone into that, but had taken the turnover as a guide. Mr Elworthy condemned the proposal to ask for Government assistance. It would be a private undertaking, and should, ha thought, be maintained as such. He considered that the share capital would not be forthcoming when wanted. Mr E. Acton supported the scheme. He defended the character of the meat sent from Canterbury, and denied that it had deteriorated' at all, but admitted that he had i seen . some badly selected meat in a ■North Island store. He favoured the Government guarantee, but as to the chance bf getting it, all would depend on the view the Treasurer would bo prepared to take after his visit to London. With a jSt&te guarantee for half a million the scheme would have a fair .chance of success. It would give the scheme a better foundation if the Government would merely convene a meeting. of ■ representative men to consider it.; He moved a resolution that - the Government should be asked to convene such a meeting; : ,\ , Mr W. Hay seconded this. - . \ • Mr Orbell replied to the, criticism of the guarantee by reminding those present o£ the recent request of tunholders for a subsidy for rabbit. fencing.To this; it was replied that , the Government wa* thereby asked to .spend money _to protect their own property as landlords. In reply to a further question,. Mr Orbell said the capital invested in freezing works in the colony , was about £400.000. He considered that two millions would be sufficient. The special sheep-tax. Would only be collected in base the Government had to make any payment under ’■ the guarantee. The motion proposed by Mr Acton was carried nem, con., most of those present voting for it, and the meeting closed.