WAIROA FREEZING WORKS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18622, 5 February 1935, Page 10

WAIROA FREEZING WORKS

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC UP-TO-DATE FACTORY MANY INTERESTED VISITORS (Herald C'Arretpoodcu l -I fhe ixeenng worki in Wairoa, now. the property of Messrs. Swifts' (N.Z.), Limited, were thrown open to the public last Friday, and all day there was a continuous stream of farmers lo view the works, accompanied in many cases by their wives and families. Mr. Kressc, Die Australian and JN'cw Zealand representative of Swifts, Limited, conducted the Herald's reporter over the extensive works. Later when the stream of visitors increased, Mr. T. LPowdrell, who as a director of the old company, rendered yeoman service in the ellorts to prevent the extinction of the local freezing industry, also led parties of visitors over the works, special attention being given to the. chilling room, where the temperature was 30 or 40 degrees. Here were seen tho bulk of the, prize stock from the Show and the gift classes all .beautifully dressed and hearing the prize tickets. The whole of tho .stock shown was bought, by Swifts. An example of the methods of Swifts was: related. A local farmer sold a line of lambs, and just to see what happened lie followed the draft down to the works, and as he got there his lambs were ascending the ramp, and next dayhe received by post his account sales and cheque. Mr. Kressc entered the chilling room, and explained a striking exhibit of the frozen by-products. Ho stated that the firm would soon bo installing a canning plant. By this time the throng was very great and'Mr. Powdrell took one section and Mr. Crichton, the manager, the others. The compactness and completeness of the works impressed all present. In a spacious marquee light refreshments were served to all, and many voiced their appreciation of this kindly gesture on the part of Swifts (N.Z.), Limited.

GOOD WISHES FROM FARMERS' UNION Mr. G. D. Tod, president of the Wairoa branch of the Farmers' Union, issued on behalf of the members the following statement: "After three years of inactivity, the announcement lastyear that these works had been sold lo Messrs. Swifts (N.Z.), Limited, and would be (-reeled without delay, caused much jubilation among the farmers and the business people in the district, all realising the advantage of having mealworks in operation in Wairoa, not only from the farmers' point of view but also in assisting the district as a whole. There is also no doubt that (he freezing industry helps to solve the- unemployment question by employing a- number of permanent and casual hands, and providing indirectly others with work. "For the last three years it has been necessary for farmers to send their stock to Hawke's Bay and Gishorne, incurring heavy carl-age charges. The elimination of this charge will naturally benefit the farmers, they receiving an increased net return. Long distance carting also has an effect on the lambs, consequently the grading, would be affected, and whereas a large number would be classed 'seconds' it 'is anticipated that more 'firsts' will now be the result.

"The local works will also provide a demand for breeding ewes, and will give the back country farmer the opportunity of disposing of his surplus ewes at a fair price. The killing charges are also a matter of interest to those sending their stock to the works and with an endeavor to have them reduced it should ho the aim of every farmer in the district to put all his stock through the local linn. The more stock killed the less will be the killing charges. "The. directors of tho Wairoa Farmers' Meat Company, Limited, are to bo congratulated ou their efforts in disposing of the assets- of the company to a firm which was interested in converting the ruins into a nourishing industry once again, and thanks are due to Messrs. Swifts (N.Z.), Limited, for the energy displayed in having the buildings erected in time for the present season. There appears no doubt that if the fanners give this enterprise their support they will eventually reap their reward. We all join in wishing Swifts ovey success in their latest venture."