THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1906.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8251, 4 October 1906, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1906.

Tho question of establishing freezing works in tho IVairarapa is once more before the farmers and tho business public generally, and possibly ou this occasion it has been raised in the l'aoe of more favourable auspices than have hitherto prevailed. The Masterton Chamber of Commerce, in ooraraoa with all those who are interested in the development of both town aud district, fully recognise that our great need is what is described in that somewhat ambiguous phraso "iocal industries." There is, uo doubh, that . tho permanent growth and development of Masterton will only coino about by the establishment of industries, successfully conducted, iu the vicinity of the town. The nature of those industries, it may bo anticipated, will be such aa are usually connected with tho operations carried on in the surrounding district. The question that has now been raised is oertainly of vital importance to Masterton, and we hope that the Chamber of Commerce will thoroughly thiash the matter out. With this end in view, no doubt, they have deoided to request the Agricultural and Pastoral Association to set up a committee to aot in conjunction with that appointed by the Cham her of Commerce. A joint committee of the kind proposed Bhould be able to sub-

rait a comprehensive and interesting import upon the matter they would be aaked to investigate. In a letter, which we published in onr issue of yesterday, Mr Donald Donald remarked ijt regard to the existing freezing companies—"That these, companies have answered a 1 useful purpose there can be no question, but the day has now arrived when the country district ,must look after themselves, and deal with their produce to the very best advantage both to themselves and the district." Mr Donald's letter was temperate in tone, tut it was plain. It amounted to an unbiassed appeal—on the facta of the position as they presenced themselves to him—'to the pastoralists of the]Wairarapa to give the proposal fair and unprejudiced consideration. We cannot see why the establishment of freezing works at Mastertnn should be considered hostile to she existing freezing companies—any more than ordinary trade competition is considered "hostile." Competition ib the life of trade, and if there is room for the proposed freezing works their establishment will not prove detrimental to the existence of the present companies. Whenever the question has been previously raised the past experiences of freezing concerns has been lugged in with great energy, and the result of such proceeding lias been, generally speaking, o£ rather a "freezing" character, but we venture ta say that past experiences need not be too closely considered. Present conditions, probable expansios of the trade, and the risk that the promoters would incur under present day conditions, are points that call for more cmsideration than the condition of the freezing trade 20 years ago.