AN AMALGAMATED FREEZING COMPANY.

Otago Witness, Issue 1917, 17 August 1888, Page 8

AN AMALGAMATED FREEZING COMPANY.

Editok Witness. — Sir, — Referring to mine of the 4th insfe., it may be asked why I do not suggest some remedy for the wrongs I complain against. It seems to me that to remedy the evil effectually many companies, firms, and individuals would require to make more or less sacrifice, though this, I think, would be more than compensated for in the end. In the first place, I am of opinion that the meat trade with the old country will never be placed upon an honest and satisfactory basis until the whole of the meat exported from New Zealaud is sold direct to the consumer. Assuming this to have been decided upon, it will then be seen that the whole meat export of this colony should be shipped to one consignee ; that retail shops should bo opened in all the large towns of the United Kingdom in which only New Zealand meats should be sold ; that no meat shoul 1 upon any consideration be sold to or in any way disposed of to outside salesmen or butchers, and this should be thoroughly well advertised, so as to stop the swindling which has so long been practised upon both the producer and the consumer by the middle men in tho trade and the butchers of England. To attain the above objects I think the whole of the freezing companies in the colony should be iuiiil t >a'nii'ed (It each company appoiuted a •.>)>hll committee there .should be no difficulty in r.hyir .trraiifjiug a basi, for valuation of works | au<J goodwill of business. The kauri timber syndicate is au illustration of what can be done in^ such matters.) Then either largely extend this company or form a separate one, for the purpose of providing cold storage in London and other necessary centres, as also retail shops, receiving and distributing the meat, and generally conducting a consignee's business. With a large proprietary company the necessary capital, easily obtained in London, would mainly be required for the supply of storage, as, when the company goc into full swing, I take it, the cash from sales would come in to meet drafts against shipments, &c. By placing the New Zealand meat upon the British market in some such form as above indicated, the producer would obtain Id to 2d per lb nioro, and still supply the consumer at Id to 2d_ per lb less than they have been paying for this colony's mutton, served out to them as best English. In indicating the above method, I do so for the disposal of meat only, as so long as the wrongs complained of are remedied, the present channels through which the wool, &c. now go need not be interfered with, and indeed I know it would be useless to attempt any such interference ; but Ido not think it would be too much to ask the present meat consignees to forego their commission upon this article, and throw in their interest and influence in one com-

mon lot. It would be for the good of this 1 colony. They would have their direct loss re- j couped indirectly, and it should be for them to take the initiative in promulgating a scheme for the better sale of New Zealand meats. In conclusion, I would say that if the present meat consignees are not sufficiently magnanimous to surrender their commissions upon the sale of meat, the producer had much better continue to pay it, ifj by so doing it would secure the object so much needed. — I am, &c., August 6. Wm. Royse. P.B. — It might be desirable for the Amalgamated Freezing Company to purchase all meat delivered at its different works, or if preferred, only from those meat suppliers who would wish to sell here, as either of these methods might better suit the small producer and non-share-holders ; however, all such things are matters of detail and arrangement. The tendency of the present age generally, is to do away with the middle men, and bring the producer and consumer as near together as possible.