THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE AND ITS EXPANSION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2146, 11 April 1895, Page 15

THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE AND ITS EXPANSION.

Paper read at the meeting of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, on Tuesday last, by David J. Nathan.

The fall in prices of the staple articles of export suffered by this colony in comnv n with the rest of the world has exercised tho possessors of busy brains for some time past, but, while the un--.pleasant fact has been deplored in all quarters, no remedy or counteracting influence has been suggested possessing the potentialities of success. NECESSITY TOR BUT ABSENCE OF DEriNED SCHEMES

FOR DEVELOPMENT OF FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

Opinions have been expressed and conversational suggestions made, but nothing tangibly practical has been formulated or put lorward in such a manner that it could Ye debated with a vLw to its adoption, either in glubo or in a modified form. In order that the subject may be discussed and grappled with in a business-like way, I have set myself the task < f committing to paper a scheme which I have the temerity to think i', if bold, certainly comprehensive, feasible, and opportune.

POSSIBILITIES OF EXPANSION.

My observations will apply more or less to all departments of our export trade, but I shall deal more particularly with the frozen meat trade, because I look upon that as affording possibilities of almost .indefinite expansion, and because, from its rapid growth and connection with the other , chief pi oductions of our colony, it is pre-eminently the one -which more seriously affects the prosperity of New Zealand.

MODERN V ANCIENT FARMING.

Indeed, so important has this staple product become that it might without exaggeration be aaid that the very existence of the colony depends upon it ; fur the modern sheepfarmer, unlike hi 3 prototype of 20 years ago, must no longer look to wool al.'ne, but also to the carcase of the sheep to provide him with the means of keeping a home over his head. In the past wool, no doubt, has proved the mainstay of the colony, but its production has been so enormously increased in other countries, and there are so many restrictive tariffs militating against its consumption, that it seems to have for the time got beyond the limits of legitimate demand, added to which the price of cotton has fallen to 3d per lb, and the impiovements in machinery for working up worn-out woullen material with admixtures have largely interfered with its use. RESTRICTIVE INFLUENCE ON CONSUMPTION OF WuOL.

On the other hand, the consumption of frozen meat must advance with the increase of population and the purchasing power of the people It cannot bo doubted that the teeming millions, ever increasing, of European and Asiatic States will only too gladly hail the time when commercial enterprise and productive evolution shall place it within their power to purchase frozen meat.

If, then, the matter is so important to the people on the other side of the world, how much more so is it to farmers— nay, to every colonist— on this Bide?

CQLONI3L IMPORTANCE OF TROZEN MEAT.

Viewing it from another aspect, let any man ■pause for a moment to consider the effect on this colony of a stoppage of the industry through a Eerious and sustained glut in Great Britain or through a collapse on the part of the fieezhig 'companies 1 Would not pa-alysis fall on the •whole trade of the colony? If this be admitted, as it mu3t-be, does not then the converse hold good— viz , that a great expansion of the industry would enormously conduce to the general prosperity of the colony? Of course there canbe but one answer. It is to show how this expansion can be effected that I have written this paper.

DISASTROUS COMPETITION AMONG SELLERS,

Assuming that we have recognised the potentialities of the trade, we must set to work to devise the most effective means by which the best results can accrue to grower, seller, and confumer alike. The haphazard development of the trade so far, with the multiplication of financially weak freezing companies, the absence of cool storage at the ports of delivery, the vast number of consignees, excessive ccst of freight and insuiance, and last, but npt least, the insane competition between sellers instead of buyers, has been the reverse of conducive to economy and expansion, and if the trade is to become the factor in New Zealand production which we have a right to expect, a radical change in our present wasteful and costly methods must be made.

COST, INSURANCE, AND FREIGHT TERMS. That the present method of sending meat Home on c.i.f. terms direct, or to the broker, has proved disastrous to the grower, experience has amply shown ; and it must be obvious that in an overstocked market, with little or no cool storage, buyers must have all the advantage. THE SMlTIirir.LD RING.

Asa matter of fact, the practice plays directly into the hands of the ring of butchers who rule Smithfield, who, by keeping their purchases down to the_ lowest limits until a number of steamers arrive, can cause a glut and lower prices at will. . Some eight or nine years ago, when Mr Gear, of Wellington, Mr Postlethwaite, of Geraldine, aud myself wore in London, we took great pains to ascertain the methods of the SmithfieM dealer?. EXPERIENCE Or COLONIAL MEAT EXPOMEaS YillE.\

IN LONDON

We spent considerable time omong them, and hDd special facilities for gaining information ..■which would not be available to visitors content to drop into the market for a day or two and depend upon their own unaided powers of observation, added to which our letters of introduction were exceptionally influential. It struck us then, and our belief has tince been strengthened by •Information from other sources, that our meat ■was not gettiDg fair play at the hands of the butchers, and that no atttmat was beine made to

push its .sale or ponulaii&e its use amongst uurea sonably prejudiced people.

SMITHFIELD MORUITV

At the tiu'.e of cur visit thepc butchers weie by no means considered lich as a clas*, but since then many of them have became exretdingly weal'hy and owe tluir accumulations of wealth mainly to the expansion of the frozen m«at trade aud the unfair practice of Eel'ing New Zealnnl meat as prime English or Welsh mutton. Ido not mean to inEinuate that this wealth has.beeu made altogether dishonestly according to the commercial ethi r s of the day, but I contend that if the industry had been conducted on sounder and more equitable business lines a great proportion of that accumulated wealth would have found its way into the pockets of the New Zealand sheepgrower. It is wall to remember that Lhemoiality of Smithfield is altogether dificreut to what the New Zealand farmer has been accustomed, and that it ha 3 peculiar customs and traditions which have been handed down f:om geneiatiou to generation. This is mentioned here because it has a vary important bea> ing on the industry, especially in relation to the question of c.i.f. terms and open consignments.

LACK OF COOL STOR UiE.

Again, owin? to the lack of entcipwse on the part of the dock companies, which apparently have no conception of the vast dimensions to which the trade is de&tined to rise, no effort has been made to provide adequate cool storage, and as there are at times as many as 26 steamers with frozen produce arriving in port within the month a glut r.ecefFaiily takes plaro. Ihe natural result is competition between sellers frantic to quit instead of healthy rivalry and competition between buyers.

KI'FECI' OF COMPETITION BETWEEN SELLERS,

All the dealers have to do is to abttaiu from buyiDg more than is absolutely required for immediate use, and the accumulation of stocks forces the sellers to quit at any sacrifice. For this reason it must be patent to everyone that the present systems can never give the best results to growers

Moreover, there are too many consignees for tho trade to be successfully developed or prctital ly earned on upon the present line*. If concentrated in the lmids of one person of large experience and business acumen, combined with adequate financial backing, who necessarily would be woiking with responsible advisors, the effect on prices could not fail to bs very marked.

TOO MANY CONSIGNEES— ADVANTAGES OP CONCENTRATION.

As true as this is of meat, it is equally true of butter, of which I can speak authoiitatively from my own experience. At present the producer draws against his consignment, the consignee cannot hold in the absence of the cool storage, and perhaps because of limited capital a glut ensues, prices fall, and the dealers have it all their own way. And, commercially, rightly bo, for the folly is ours in not awakenivg to a proper sense of the position. What has been lost to the colony general'y and the grower in particular by these anomalies not being realised and adjusted earlier it would be difficult to estimate ; but now that the trade is threatened by greater outside competition and lower psicep, it behoves us to make a sustained effort to place it on a commonsense foundation, or the position will become worse. It must not be forgotten that New Zealand frozen meat was the first in the market, that it is admittedly the best, aud that it rests with ou iv elves to sustain its repute and find wider maikets. This can only be done by united effort and much capital. EFFECT 01' COMBINATION IN OTHER INDUSTRIES.

As aa illustration of what can be done by combination among producers who have previously buffeivd by want of cohesion, I may be permitted to cite two industries which have attained a rank unattainable by isolated effort — viz., tha wine industry of California and the tea trade of Ceylon and India. These industries were bi ought forcibly to my mind during a conversation I had the other day with Mr PottlethwaitP, of Geraldine, who had just returned to this colony from California. The enormous development of the wine industry was touched upon, and I then adverted to what w e had advocated in connection with froz=n meat eight or nine years before.

THE WINE INDUSTRY OF CALIFORNIA,

A few years o;;o the Califoinian vinegrowers had pel force to sell their wives to the middlemen at any pi ice the latter chose to offer, wiih the inevitable result that the tiade languished and got into a deplorable condition, whereupon a great effort was made to put it on a more equitable basis The culmination of this effort was a binding agreement to noncentiate the wine industry throughout the State into the hands of one central authority in San Frauci&co, resulting in the grower then obtaining prices £0 per cent, higher than those prevailing before the agreement. In addition to this the output has been enormously increased by the opening of branch dep6ts in the chief States of the Union and elsewhere. The wine 13 etill sold to the middleman, but instead of being disposed of in casks to bs adulteiated or tampered with, it is put up in bottles and guaranteed pure and good to the consumer, who is not dealt with direct, but through the merchant. The sole aim of the growers was to get a large fighting and adverting fund by which they could insist on their wine getting fair play at the hands of the trade, and their success has been greater than the most sanguine ever expected.

INDIAN AND THE CBYLON TE \ TRADE,

Similarly has the tea trade of Imii^ and Ceylon been developed. Some time ogo the tea growers met together and_ determined to force their teas upon the American market, which had been monopolised by the light straw-coloured teas from Japan and certain parts of China. A voluntary levy was made by the groweis, aud £30,000 collected in Ceylon to n aks a large and attractive show at the Chicago Exhibition. A special levy was made by the Indian Tea Association and a large sum sub c ciibed. So gratifying was the success attained throush this aid that still another levy was made equal to half the previous amount for advertising aud pushing the lea throughout the American State, wilh the r.sult that at the close of tho exhibition COOO regular wholesale customers had been obtained, and the teas had advanced to fiont rank. Since that time the teas have gone steadily up, and attained the highest Driccß in the market, while the suuply is now not

equal to the demand. These two illustrations will demonstrate what can be done by judicious advertising and bubii.ess energy with an article intiinMCi'lly good.

Now, if the foregoirg can be accomplished in regard to wine and tea, what might not be done with fio:c;n niest and the other staple products of New Ztnliud? Thtsa possibilities are what we have to consider if we desire our colony to prosper. I difcus.-ed this matter with Mr Postlethwaitc a fortnight ago, and as the result of his advice I now bring forward a scheme based somewhat on the same lines as that which Mr Gear, Mr Postlethwajle, and myself discussed eight or nine years ago, as the outcome of our visit to London. FINANCIU. IVEUCNESS OF FREEZING COMPANIES

Obviously the fii-ot essential in any scheme of the magnitude requiied is capita), and plenty of it. This is the first and greatest difficulty, but I intend to show that it is not insuimountable. The isolated efforts made to expand the tiade in the patt have resulted in the. formation of many freezing companies, mo&tly all now too financially weak to hope to successfully grapple with it, whilst the permanent charges incidental to so many diffaient concerns must rccessarily have a disastrous effect on the returns all round. A?ain, 1 contend that any scheme to give the best possible results to all interested must be worked more o/ lesa on a co-operative basis.

ISOLATED EITORTS COURT DISASTER.

It is manifestly selfish— nay, suicidal — on the part of growers to hold aloof and permit any of their number almost singlehanded to make experiments which may prove disastrous through insufficiency of capital, but which may prove of immense profit to the whole industry. Take, for examplo, the experiments in the export of live cattle made by enterprising men in the adjoining colonies.

LIVE CATTLE EXPERIMENTS.

Failure may result through the want cf means, ap.d the individual grazier ruined, while the trade is strangled at its biith— a trade which, under moTe f.nourable circumstances and united effort, might be made a gigantic success almost from initiation. In surh a case, even should failure occur, the loss would be spread over so many as to be hardly felt. Over-caution on the part of growers in such cases is neither commendable nor wise.

The scheme I formulate is that a company be formed to take over all the existing freezing companies in tha colony, on the basis of valuation, the whole to bo worked as one concern under one management, and the present &bareholdeis to rank as shareholders in the new company. Such a company could not be expected to carry on its operations on the tcale contemplated with a capital of less than from two to four million?, and to rai.se this money is a difficulty only second in magnitude to the development of the trade that would follow.

CAPITAL REQUIRED.

Assuming, for the purpose of illu&tration, that the paiil-up capital of the existing companies amounts to £ ,1 would pr* pose to raise another £ in shares to be partly paid-up, in order to provide sufficient liquid assets to meet emergencies arising out of the extended operations, the details of which will be touched upon later. It may be here asEiimed that the farmers, reeogciiting, as did the vino-growers of California and the tea-growers of India and Ceylon, the advantages likely to accrue from c:>mr-ination in the cheapening of freights atid insurance, the opening of r.eiy niaiketf, and the lecluctton in brokerage ccmu.ission, would hs piepared to make the necersary effort to subscribe the capital lequiied. In addition to the capital indicated, large though it bf, it would be de-irable to have a further sum available in view of tho extended operations considered csential to command success.

COLONIAL GUARANTEED DEBENTURE,

To pro\ide this I would propose that power be obtained to raise £2,00l),000 at Home on deben-ture-f guaranteed by the colony at say 3j per cent., the interest and sinking fund to be st'cutcd by a tax of not exceeding 'M per he&d on the flocks of the colony. There in nothing very startling in this proporal, as will be seen after a little reflection. This tax, if levied up to its maximum, would not represent in 20 years the difference between the price of sheep last year and this.

FALL IN TRICE OF SHEEP.

Moreover, there is every reason to believe that the mere establishment of ths company would send up sheep to a value more than four times the amount of the tax. That there is ample precedent to invite the support of the State will be presumably admitted. I submit that, important, as Stata aid may have been in the direction in which it has already 1 cen given, it was in no tense of such vast consequence to the community S3 the proposal now under consideration, for the very existence of New Zealand depends on the success of the sheep farming industiy.

STATK GUARANTEE,

Its collapse would mean irretrievable ruin to all — from the wealthiest to the poorest. In seeking the suppoit of the State, it is not contemplated that its guarantee should be given without tangible and ample security being offered. The fhekowner at first might reasonably be expected to object to being suigled out for special taxation ; but when it is pointed out to him that the operations of the company could not fail to reduce the cost of working expenses, interest, freight, hmivance, br .kerage, storage, <tc, by Ad per lb at least —probably in time by more — and that the increased demand consequent on the development of the business would aitord an outlet for all the Bheep he could raise, he would indeed be obtuse if he could not see that he has everything to gain and nothing to lose by the scheme.

DIRECT ADVANTAGES TO GROWER,

As I before explained, so far as the general taxpayer i* concerned, he can offer no objection, for, while he would receive indirect benefit by the sympathetic expansion of trade following the impetus given to the farming industry, he would not be called upon to pay the interest on the guaranteed debentures, and would therefore only reap benefit from the scheme.

ALLOCATION OF SHEEP TAX,

The fund created by the sheep tax would be drawn upon to pay per cent, on the share capital paid up, supposing the profits of the company to be not sullicieut at firßt to do thi?, and al s o say per cent, for depreciation of works. Moreover, the interest to shareholders could be limited to per cent., and a»v balance, after meetine the

charges for Etukingfund on the gnaianteed debentures, go towards a fund administered by the Agiicultural department for coping with diseases in sheep— a matter w hich is worthy of more consideration than it receives, for, acording to Captain Russell, the loss to Hawke's Bay farmers alone from this cause amounts to no Ic3s a sum than £00,000 per annum.

SHEEP TAX AT 3d PER HEAD WOULD YIELD £250,000.

The total number of sheep in the colony is, roughly, £0,000,000. A tax of 3d per head would bring in £250,000. A rise in the price of sheep of only 6d per head would give £500,010. At a glance it will thus be seen who will reap tke chief advantage in a scheme of this kind.

RISE OF ONLY OD PER HEAD WOULD YIELD £500,000.

But, in taking power to raise by taxation 3d per head on the iljcks of the colony, it is not for a single mometit contemplated that anything like the whole tax would ever be required to be ltvied, for the interest charges and sinking fund under any circurr. stances could not exceed s*y £

FAIRNESS OF PROPOSED TAX.

The fairness of the tax will be more apparent when we come to considt-r its incidence as compared with the bon-ub system, whether as applied to butter (as in Victoria) or anything eke. The bonus system allows the Government to impose burdens on the general taxpayer for the sole benefit of some particular industry. The tax proposed under this schema would fall solely on the shou'ders of those who reap the direct benefit.

The company would necessarily be controlled by a committee or board. Uiader certaiu circumstances it misbt be considered, also, that the State should have representation if its guarantee were given ; but I would point out that, as in the case of the loans to local bodies, the bondholders would have power under tho law to avpoint a receiver to collect the tax in the event of default, and that in that manner the State would have almost entire control.

PLAN OF ACTION

Having dealt with the money question, which of coiu\=e ia subject to modific-ition, 1 now propose to touch upon what I conceive to be the proper aims and scope of the company, together with its mode of procedure. The first step after its formation would be the appointment of a capable man of business to proceed to London and open up negotiations with the Smithfield butchers, with the view of getting our meat en the London market freed from the restrictions which have hitherto hampered its sale. lie would at once chow them our strong financial position, and impress them with the determination of the growers to get fair play for their product, lie would offer to erect the necessary cool storage, not only in London, but in any of the centres of Great Britain and Ireland where the influence of the trade might extend, provided that they would lease the same at fair interest on cost. Further, it would be Btated that provision would bo made for cargo steamers to call at the different ports at regular intervals to discharge meat, in a somewhat similar manner to that in which they call at New Zealand ports to take it on board. This would obviate the necessity of so many handlingß, save railway charges, and ensure the meat receiving careful treatment in all weathers.

ADVERTISING.

An offer would also be made to spend a certain sum per annum in advertising the meat, so that say " Red Star Mutton" wouid bacorna as widely known as 'Tear's Eoap," " Column's mustard," &c. The advertising could be done on railway station?, hoaidings, Ac, aud by means of lectures specially intended to bring home to the working classes of Great Biitain the desirableness of encouragicg tho consumption of colonial products, if they themselves hoped in return to find ready markets for their own manufactures.

OVERCOMI G PREJUDICE,

In thi i relation it maybe mentioned that the trade between the mother- country and her colonies is now regarded as of the first importance by English manufacturers. By these means much of the unreasoning prejudice and hostility of the British public would be combated and overcome. It must b& conceded that advertising in thi3 manner could not fail to be quite as successful as the means adopted by the various proprietaries whose wares are so persistently and successfully puthed all over the world. Indeed, it is hardly credible, or creditable, that come such methods have noS before been adopted ry those concerned in the frozen meat industry.

AGREEMENT WITH SMITIIFIELD,

The meat once popularised, and the facilities for supply improved, demand would of necessity follow. The Smithfield people would be required to take so many carcases per month, or per annum, in return for our concession in dealing direct and solely through them, and the prices for fait and second grade meat would be fixed upon a mutually arranged basis of values. If the negotiations with the Smithfield butchers proved &uccetsful, the gn.ater and most difficult portion of our task would be accomplished, because the amount of capital required would not be k early so great as under the alternath c scheme to be propo-ed. Assuming, however, that the Smithfield dealers refused to meet us, we would open stores in Smithfield, and fight them on level terms. In addition to selling New Zealand mutton, we could deal in English, Scotch, and Welsh stock, taking care that the profits on ths British product should be so low that we should become an unpleasant thorn in the sides of the hostile butchers, who, if they saw we had plenty of capital at our command, would quickly want to come to teims with us. Of this I am convinced from what I know of their character. In addition, cool stores could be opened in all the lar?e centres of Great Britain for the convenience of local butoheis, and in the event of these declining to take the meat up. shops would be opened, and Home and foreign meat sold at as near cost as possible, in order that the monopoly could be broken down, the New Zealand product popularised, and a regular market secured.

ALTERNATIVE SCHEME.

Thus, if the fktt echevnedid not succeed through the hostility of the English meat trade, the second could not fail, for there can be no doubt that if the butchers saw that we meant business and were financially strong enough to break up their monopoly, which has existed for so many generations, they would in self-defence readily fall in

with any reasonable terms offeied, and it would then only bo necessary for us to set up a committee in London to see that the trade was euerget : cally pushed, and to act as a board of advice. It might probably be considered advisable to adopt the second course first, leaving the butchers themselves to make overtures ; but this is a matter which the management of the company could be left to deal with. s

TRAVELLING EXHIBITION.

With a further view to extend our trade, I should favour the fitting up of a laTge steamer for an "all the world tour. This idea I have also heard enunciated by Mr Gale, and seen in the New Zealand Mai). The primary object of the tour would be to let the different countries of the world have ocular proof of the iroductiva capabilities and possibilities of New Zealand. In addition to frozen meat, butter, tinned goods, and other food products being carried, samples of wool, grain, gum, flax, gold, coul, woods, and any and every other natural product of the colony might be shown, the intention being to make the steamer as much like an itinerant exhibition as possible. At each port touched a banquet might be given, composed almost entirely of New Zenland produce, to the chief magnates of the place, and arrangements made for throwing the vessel open for public inspection.

AN EFFECTIVE OBJECT LESSON.

To help defray expenses, provision might also be made for carrying tourists, and as the tour would be of so unique and comprehensive a character, the return from this snurce alone could not fail to be very large, while each of the tourists would— unwittingly, perhaps— act as on informal adveitising agent. The question of route is a matter of detail which may very well be left for further consideration, but I might suggest that it include South America, Japan, China, and other Eastern countries, together with the larger islands of the world. For although all our products might not find ready sale at all the ports touched, yet so varied are^they that it would be strange if one or other of them would not find a maikot.

NEW MARKET. As a national advertisement alone this all the world tour" would be of immense value, because, unlike ordinary international exhibitions, where the visitor is bewildered and almost nauseated by the similarity of the exhibits, and is in consequence apt to overlook the name of the exhibiting State, the very novelty of the floating Bhow ana the absence of competing exhibits would leave indelible impre sions. In this_ way new markets might be opened, to which direct commuuication might be had, thus giving a great impetus to the shipping and insurance business, as well aa to the mercantile, banking, and producing interests. EARLY STRUGGLES OF IMPORTANT UNDERTAKINGS.

Not the least remarkable feature in industrial development is the easy manner in which initial difficulties are forgotten and indifference displayed when trade poasibilities are discanted upon. How many foresaw, for instance, the groat expansion of trade destined to follow the establishment of the frozen moat industry, and how few even remember the first difficulties encountered by those who promulgated the idea and risked their money in the venture ? Fewer still probably pause to consider howdisasirousit would be to this colony if the industry collapsed from any cause. CALAMITOUS RESULT IF FROZEN MEAT INDUSTRY

COLLAPSED.

Yet it is not easy to see that the whole trado of New Zealand would fall with it ? If this be admitted, as it must be, can it be doubted that the converse holds good— viz., that if the output were multiplied threefold (as it might readily be) every industry in the colony would respond in sympathy ? What is true of the meat industry is in some measure true in respect of c.very other natural product of {he colony, and in these days of universal industrial activity, a nation, like the astute burners man, must be quick to seize opportunities and capture markets, without which it cannot hope to become prospsrouß.

CONCLUSION,

In conclusion, I would emphasise the fact that the scheme, though admittedly comprehensive and bold, possesses potentialities of success almost beyond present day calculation. Its adoption would at once infuse new life and activity into the people throughout the whole colony, and at a time, too, when eveiy industry is abnormally depressed and the outlook exceedingly dark. Under its revivifying influence the ehcepfarmer would gain heart and vigour and every industry awaken in unison. With the capital indicated, with the expenses of «xport reduced to a minimum by the concentration of consignees, with a substantial reduction in freights and insurance, and with ample storage accommo.aation and strong financial position, success would be assured fiom the start, and the colony be sent to the forefront among the pioducing nations of the world. „ . . *, To the farmer who might at first fear the burden of a possible special tax, I would say, Ponder well the advantage of a certain rise in the piice of sheep, and an increasing demand for fat stock. To the Legislature which might hesitate to give the rating power suggested, I would say, Louk at the bonus system of Victoria and other countries, where the tax falls on the shoulder of the general taxpayer while a particular industry alone reaps the benefit ; also bear in mind th« principle underlying the taxing powers granted to "harbour boards, county councils, city corporations, and other bodies ; and above oil consider what such a scheme, if carried out, would represent to the chief industries of the colony. To the general taxpayer I would say, Such a scheme will cost you nothing, while its results must be more beneficial than the ordinaty mind can sit first estimate. Reflection will demonstrate that its effects will be more 1 far-reaching and lastingly beneficial than any policy brought forward for the development of the country within the last 20 years, while its cost to the general taxpayer will be nil.

While the scheme is admittedly of great magnitude, and the difficulties in the way numerous and requiring the best business acumen to overcome, I Bubmit that it is opportune, feasible, and capable of accomplishment ; and, in view of its vast importance, is deserving of serious consideration and exhaustive) discussion. March 1894