The Patea Mail. Established 1875. MONDAY, JULY 9, 1883. FROZEN MEAT INDUSTRY.

Patea Mail, Volume IX, Issue 1057, 9 July 1883, Page 2

The Patea Mail. Established 1875. MONDAY, JULY 9, 1883. FROZEN MEAT INDUSTRY.

A well-known settler on the Whennaknra Block draws attention in ’a letter in to-day’s ; issue to - the meat-freezing industry.' ; Oh more than one occasion we have brought this : subject forward,, and we are glad to notice that it is how beginning to attract the attention. .of those most interested the settlers themselves. If they can be indnced'toi take an ’interest in the matter jve may hope jfbrsomething . .practical being done,, not. otherwise. And really the out-ldok of the meat export trade is so favourable as to warrant some effort being made to participate in it. ’ Cargo after cargo has been dispatched from the South Island, and the results have ; all .been ,satisfactory to the shippers. The shipment by the Lady Jocelyn from Wellington has , also 'been a success, and although charges have been rather high, there is no doubt.whatever that a substantial profit will be left. As the Wellington Company gets more used to the business, it will be easy to keep the costs low, so that settlers may reap as great a benefit ns possible from their shipments. Our correspondent states, very truly, that we must not look for a market in any colonial town, but at Home. It was precisely this feeling that led to the establishment of the meat export industry at jail. In Australia, it was felt that the local market. was easily glutted and quite inadequate to .clear off the surplus increase from the immense.flbcks of that colony. - It was understood that if only .London could be reached the difficulty of disposing. profitably of the surplus stock; would be met, and that in a most profitable manner. 'Hence the: experiment from Melbourne which was watched with such interest throughout the whole of the colonies. Its success was gratifying and encouraged further attempts; which with some few exceptions, when the meat had been carelessly frozen, have nil Turned out well. Wellington is now following in the steps of Otago and Canterbury," and the immediate question that concerns * settlers here is how to obtain' a share in the trade. Depressed prices and heavy stocks on this coast render the question one of more than ordinary moment. To secure* this market, which is admitted to bo the most valuable one now open, it is necesary for settlers to co-operate. The proper coarse would be to hold a meeting, have a thorough discussion of the whole affair and. obtain some idea of the quantity of meat likely to be available for export, and then communicate with the Wellington Company arid 'see what facilities can be obtained for transporting the meat frrim here to the i central idepbt. Some ; works 1 would! be fiere to keep the meat until it could be put on board steamer, arid :a : vessel would have to be fitted tojeeeive it, but the whole cost would not be very alarming, arid, if/the Wellington Company would riot take it in hand, settlers need not feel discouraged but should boldly tackle it themselves. It will pay them well to do it. We shall soon see New Zealand beef in greater demand at Home than New Zealand; mutton, »ndthen the benefit to this part of the country .will \be extraordinary. The conveyance of beef is now beginning to receive its share of attention from tho freezing companies, for although mutton, presents many advantages' such ns convenience of handling and freezing, there can, b,e rib question that the other meat must be carried arid any'difficulties there may be in the way at present will have to (be overcome. The whole subject is one of such importance to the district that we hope it will not be allowed, to dropj but that settlers will take it up earnestly and bring it to a successful issue.