VISIT TO BELFAST.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 49, 3 April 1914, Page 11

VISIT TO BELFAST.

FREEZING-WORKS INSPECTED. "FARMERS' DAT." Close upon two hundred farmers assembled at the Belfast works of the Canterbury Frozen Meat and Dairy Produce Company yesterday, the occasion being the /nnual "Farmers' Day" giv„en by the company. The visitors were shown all over the extensive works,, receiving an insight into the general methods of working. Killingoperations were in full swing, and the farmers evinced a keen interest in the work. The visitors were received by Sir George Clifford (chairman of directors), Mr G. Humphreys (director), Mr W. L. Macbeth (secretary), Mr Hopkins (works manager), and Mr E. P. Hughes. Upon arrival, the guests were entertained at lunch, and Sir George Clifford, in welcoming the visitors, said that the company was always pleased to see the farmers visiting them at all times, and lie hoped they would return from time to time and see the co-operative experiments. He acknowledged the assistance the" company had received in the carrying out of the experiments. The frozen meat business was at present in an interesting state. The United States and other countries were increasingly becoming purchasers of frozen meat to an extent which no one could have foreseen two years ago, in the face of.the American meat exports of that period. There were also the Continental markets, which were being exploited, and generally the markets w,ere distinctly encouraging. -At the present time, England was fiot the only competitor for our frozen mutton. The company had always kept the open door; they had not dealt in stock on their own behalf. On behalf of the directorate he could assure them that this policy would always be pursued, which would place them in a position that would make them independent of any foreign interference with our markets. The farmers should see to it that the works, which were there for their convenience, were strongly supported. They had all heard a great deal in regard to competition from the River Plate and other countries. For 25 years he had heard of it, but New Zealand to-day stood where it always stood, in the premier position as a producer of frozen mutton. * The killing board, cooling-down room, freezing chambers,- wool, scouring plant, manure worsts, meat packing works, cooperage, and several other departments of what are possibly the most modern and self-contained freezing works in the Dominion were then thoroughly inspected by the visitors. After the works were inspected, Mr H. J. Horrell, on behalf of the visitors, thanked Sir George Clifford anti the company for the kindness displayed. They had thoroughly enjoyed their visit, and had learned a great deal. Cheers were given for the company. Sir George Clifford, in replying, said that if the visitors -had learnt anything through the inspection of their works they were well repaid. What the farmers could do to help them was to send along good supplies of the best lamb land mutton for them to deal with.