FARM AND STATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 1855, 10 June 1887, Page 6

FARM AND STATION.

VALUES OF FAT STOCK.

A long-standing grievance with farmers and graziers is the disparity between the prices realised by the producer and those charged to the consumer. For reasons which we shall presently set out clearly the fault so far as local consumers are concerned is in a great measure of their own creation, while it is abundantly evident that the unsatisfactory results of operations during the past two years in connection with the export trade in meat are calculated to materially contract production. The producer has been regarded as the milch cow for agencies of all sorts, and the results have consequently been sadly different from what were anticipated at the inception of the movement to establish a trade in frozen meat. Then the only formidable difficulties were the almost untried^ system of refrigeration and the question of carriage by sea. These obstacles were at the time regardedjjby many as insuperable, and it was in the face of considerable opposition and detraction that the venture was made. The trade has not been profitable to the producer in the colony, at least to any appreciable extent, and for the very sufficient reason that it has drifted into grooves which, despite some feeble attempts at reform, for the time being are apparently beyond control. It is not creditable to this community, this province — the birthplace of the frozen meat trade — that we are seemingly powerless to reform and control the trade. It would appear as if we had put our necks into rings and were consequently incapable of effort. Compare our helplessness in this vital business with the energy which characterised its early promoters, who apparently are forgotten even in five or six years. The review of the early history of the movement cannot be flattering to some of our magnates, but it will show what earnest efforts may accomplish, and is adduced to convince doubters that the trade even now may be entirely controlled.

In 1881, our morning contemporary the Daily Times wrote to the following effect in an article advocating refrigeration and an export trade in meat : — " We hope, however, we have yet among us some of that 'go' which has made Dunedin what it is." In another editorial the following month alluding to the apathy of those concerned, it was observed: — "Just now the merchants seem to wait for the runholders to make a move, and the runholders for the merchants, and between the two nothing is done." On February 15 of the same year (1881) the subject was followed up. Meetings at Oamaru, Invercargill, and other places had been held, and the Daily Times again wrote : " The Southland farmers have taken it up, and are forming a co-opera-tive association to unite with other mutual societies in Canterbury, Oamaru, or elsewhere — even, we suppose, Dunedin, if we give them a chance." All the while there was much talk, but no action. ,It was suggested in the Daily Times that 10 merchants in the city should subscribe £100 each to provide for preliminary expenses, and thus lead to a start of the novel industry ; and to Mr Eobert Wilson the country is indebted for the first practical steps towards the realisation of the desired end. In the month of February Mr Wilson wrote as follows to the editor of the Times : — " Sir, — I" was much pleased with your leader in to-day's paper.

I agree with you that itris~'higlrtime began to move in the way of getting rid of our 'surplus stock'rA'nyoneatt'enaing'tbre'sales v last Wednesday must' have seeniafrm^glanee that something must Be done&- Yop say tl|at if only 10 merr would Mb¥driije £I*oo e|oh it would be sufficient to f make a start. 3P sna u* be most' happy to make "ffne'^of^the^ltf^and surely you can get nine others. — E. Wilson." Mr Wilson's action ' brought v -raatters s -'to*ean j issue, and at a,jneeting held .subsequently . Mr JjSme's^Shand, I Mr J^Koberts,^ an^otfyersf promised 'their substantial' *•*- The farmers — many of whom at the time had not a sheep to their, name— took shares.largely ; the Hon. Eobert -Campbell; "who' 'had previously, ventilated the,* question at Oamarn, promised co-operation, and the success of the Refrigerating Company was ensured. These details are reproduced .here |or the . purpose of showing that. were f the evil influ- : ences which, have adversely and notoriously affected the trade taken cognisance- * of *<by a vigorous representative ;body ! some relief could be obtained from-' the pressure whitfh strangles the business. < Three-fourth's- of the proceeds realised from 'our ' meat exports go into " alien " pockets. Granted, that Home prices have fallen, there is no disposition to adequately- reduce freezing, freight",!,insurance, and other numerous pickings which, in the aggregate, absorb the principal, leaving • but - a pittance out of the proceeds to the producer. If a few merchants and extensive , landholders backed up by, a considerable [ body of farmers could successfully, start the industry, surely the like co-operation. would ensure a much-needed reform of the trade.

Compared with the -producing" capacity of the colony the local 'markets are inconsequential. Consumers— especially in towns — are apt to complain that, while the. whole-, sale prices of meat are unprecederitedly low; > the retail charges are^ high. L .That^hisis to ' some extent' true is solely the fault > of , the ' consumers, who, in nine' cases out of ten, are, "too mighty grand" to go to the butcher's shop arid pay cash , for meat ; which, they could pick at pleasure. It is pretty well notorious that a butcher's business in Dunedin is a struggling endeavour to make ends meet, and that this is in a great measure owing to the^ exacting ' requirements of. their customers. For a shop doing an average trade four or five horses have to be maintained, and a staff of men paid "to ride out with orders," , and such orders are frequently transmitted through the telephone as, " 21b of chops and lib sausages ; in half an hour, please." It is no unfrequent occurrence with a butcher to receive an order for 21b or 31b of chops or steaks wanted by a party living a mile away. This involves a journey for boy and horse which will occupy half an hour. And then there is the " running account." But what apparently escapes notice is what may fee call the low-priced refuse left on the butcher's hands. This includes houghs, thin neck ends, fatty waste bits, and nearly all the bones. To quote a butcher's words, "He is the worst paid man in. the lot, and has the most burdens to bear, in the shape of rents, rates, taxes, and, incidental expenses; he is made to honour the rich and feed the poor; he has the world, the, flesh, and the devil to contend with, and if a bad market sets in on him with half his meat unsold, then it is left to stink or dry on the hooks, and literally to make nothing." •, \ .: ,