PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. Thirty-ninth Year of Publication ESTABLISHED 1875 Manawatu Daily Times SATURDAY, MAY 30, 1914.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 12804, 30 May 1914, Page 4

PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. Thirty-ninth Year of Publication ESTABLISHED 1875 Manawatu Daily Times SATURDAY, MAY 30, 1914.

HIE state of the frozen mea market in forms the sub ject of a letter from the Otag( Daily Times correspondent, win under date April 17th makes the following remarks, the conclud ing portion of which will be ol special interest to many farmers: —• "Considering what hopes were entertained at the beginning of the present frozen meat season, one must suppose that the present progress made occasions some disappointment in the trade. Whether this should, or should not be, is another matter, but there remains the fact that the initial spurt gave bigger promise. It was all very well for people to talk about 7d lambs; the trade here ! knew that it would take time to get the retailer into position to be able to pay such a price. Many are likewise of opinion that Gd and a shade over for Canterbury, and a trifle under for North Island lambs, is, after all, not a bad price—but, as I have said, this season it is disappointing. Bona fide shippers, at any rate, have not done badly on such a basis, but then there are, perhaps, few bona fide shippers, so much speculation having characterised the trade this year. Kurt her, New Zealand supplies have been earlier than last year, and present level above stated has been maintained, in spite of the early rush and despite Australia's big coup at the start Reverting to the present complexion of the market, lamb is!

making a fair sale, but with the heavy arrivals London stocks are becoming very heavy; in fact, people say the stores are full. Mutton is a poor sale, and heavy mutton may be said to be unsaleable. "With regard to this, it is to be noted that South American and New Zealand mutton seems to be getting consistently heavier again. 1 would be the last to advise the New Zealand farmer what pays him best; whether so much a lb on a sheep 101b heavier than another one is policy or not, he knows best, but I must say that the market here is consistently refusing to pay decent prices for heavy mutton, and when I add that there is all the difference between 3%d and 4 5-8 d for heavy and light New Zealand sheep respectively the force of my remarks, at any rate as concerns this side, may be appreciated."

AN Aucklander, Mr A. E. Harding, who has just returned from a visit to Canada, says the thing that he w r as most struck with in Western Canada was the farmers' indifference to their homes. The barns are fine handsome buildings and the homes are plain wooden structures. But why should a farmer who has begun to make profit in his industry desire to erect a mansion? Evidently the Canadian farmers are applying their profits for the purpose of getting still better results, and enabling them to withstand a period of adversity it such should occur. After all is said and done a house is merely a place which provides proper shelter, in which one may live in comfort, eat, drink and sleep. Just as '' stone walls do not a prison make," neither do marble halls make a home. Many a peer in a palace is really more homeless than a labourer on his estate, who when his daily toil has ended has a place in which he may find rest, peace and comfort. The Canadian method is cert ainly in strong contrast to that followed by some farmers in this country, whose first thought, after a favourable change in the markets, is to erect a palatial residence, furnish it with expensive and comparatively useless, or quite unnecessary articles, and then be absent from it most of the time in a motor car. Many years ago when conversing with one of the foremost stock auctioneers on this coast, who has since joined the great majority, we referred to the growing prosperity of the dairying industry as indicating that the farmer must receive great benefit. T'l reply he pointed out that with greater prosperity would come new r wants, and more expensive luxuries would become necessi' ties. The wife 1 w r ould require much greater adornment, of the house, the daughters would de. mand a piano and the sons would cultivate expensive . tastes, so that in the end the farmer would be worse off .than before. Whether this view was correct we may leave to the judgment of those who have studied individual cases, but on the face of it the Canadian farmer appears to be the more prudent.

THE terrible railway accident on the Main Trunk Line shows that in spite of all precautions, including the perfect block system, disasters may occur, it would seem that the authorities have been successful in preventing accidents 011 the open lines, except at the level crossings which are still dangerous, both to those 011 the train and those in vehicles travelling over the crossings. But there is still danger near the stations where trains are passing while shunting operations are proceeding. Until the result of the official enquiry is made known of course I

it is impossible to say what was the real cause of the recent disaster, but the travelling public will have to be assured that it was not due to any neglect of tbe Department. OX several occasions we have referred to the desirability of farmers supporting the movement t° establish f'reeziug works at Feilding, and Ave are therefore glad to know that its success is now assured. In another column to-day will be found the prospectus

of the Company, which we commend j to the notice of farmers. These works will prove of benefit both directly and indirectly—directly because tliey will enable loss in weight of sheep and lambs 'to be avoided, and indirectly by yielding prolit to shareholders, tor the works will utilise all by-products, i and there will be no waste. They will i also enablel the farmers to have .better command of the market, and give them more prompt returns. There are many advantages to be gained from such works as those to be established. and with these most farmers are acquainted. The promoters are all men of experience, and all that is required is such a general distribution of shares as will ensure full local supply of stock to be frozen and sent away direct to the English market. At the present time Mr Hugh Roberts

mul others (who will address a meeting at Jvairanga this evening) are canvassing tor shareholders, and every wise farmer will respond to their work and assist a movement which cannot fail to be of benefit to all interested in the meat trade.