The Frozen Meat Trade.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5257, 13 May 1895, Page 2

The Frozen Meat Trade.

[Pbe Press Association.]

WELLINGTON, Mat 18. ! In hia address at Feilding, Mr D. J. Nathan said the very solvency of the colony deponded upon the success of the ; farmers. Australia and the Argentine ' had entered into the field of competition, ■ and in spite of our superior product were . displacing ua in the Home markets, while . recent papers to hand showed that the very scheme he had propounded was being ur«ed on the farmers of Australia. He j pointed out that it was abßurd to expect

that the growers could get fair treatment ' or satisfactory results under the present circumstances of the market at Home, and the trade had suffered so disastrously that it wa3 imperative something should be ' done. He referred to the strides other industries had made by •. combination amongst those concerned in thf m, especially noting what had been dona for the Indian and Ceylon tea trade and the Californian wine industry. The meat trade suffered greatly through' bo many financially weak freezing companies, with their heavy permanent charges, being engaged in it, added to which there were too many consignees. Ot'aer countries wero assisting their industries in a Variety of ways, and if New Zealand did not mind she would be left lamenting her supinenesp. The flax industry had been allowed to die for want of a little timely aiaiatance from the State, and it was necessary that they should be stirring if the meat trade was not to share a similar fate. j