Wairarapa Daily Times. [Established 1874.] THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1897. THE DEAD MEAT MARKET.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5562, 18 February 1897, Page 2

Wairarapa Daily Times. [Established 1874.] THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1897. THE DEAD MEAT MARKET.

Mil How, M.H.11, lias raised n question I hat wo Imvo frequently called attention io, viz., Hie expediency of supplying tlie Wellington market with dead meat. It is rather a reproach to this district that it has not for many years past opened up a direct trade with the consumers of tlio Empire Cily in carcase meat,

But wo fail to see that it is essential to the success of such a trade that railway freights should be reduced, We learn from tho ollicial correspondence that at the present time the railway carries meat to Wellington at a rate of seven pounds for a penny—of course in quanitics of a ton and upwards-mid this charge does not seein to be one that country settlers can fairly take exception 10.

At the present time we believe the retail price of meat in Masterton is higliei; than the retail price of meat in Wellington, and it is evidently not a question of a small fraction of o penny that stands between the country producer and the town consumer. The country producer can probably obtain a whole penny more in Masterton for meat than is available in Wellington, and if this he the case why need lie bother about saving a fourteenth or a twentieth part of a penny by a reduction in railway freight. He Ims the game in his own hands if lie possesses sufficient intelligence and enterprise to play it. The local producer is sad because he can only get threehalfpence a pound for his mutton, and the local consumer is sorrowful because ho has to pay threepence per pound for it. 'Surely there is a margin here without worrying over sevenths of a penny. Still a large trade iu dead meat might he worked up with Wellington if there existed a strong organisation of suppliers, backed up by a sufficiency of capital and business capacity. ' On the business aspentof the question Mr Hogg, M.H.li, is scarcely an authority.. Ho talked to the Eketahiina people about large meat companies and eight per cent, dividends, but if J'lketaliuna farmers arc to do a trade iu dead meat with the Empire City they must take a leaf out of tlio book of the companies, they must have capital at their command nnd business experience. With tbesu j.t would be a matter of comparative indifference whether they received somo slight reduction in railway freight, Mr Hogg gave tlio Eketahuna settlers some advice that was very good nnd other that was very bad. 11l reconiinotiding tliom to work up a trade in dead meat lie was wise, but in advising them that .capital was not required be ivas foolish.. Capital is absolutely esaani-ifli io t|ie success of suck tin 1 enierprisie, ,ani jyitboilt an adequate supply of jtany.'yentpe on the part of the Eketahuna farmers is fore-doomed to disaster,.; If I'Jke.taliuiia farmers wish toisucceed they must go to business men rat her than io, politician's foe business advice. Mr Hogg is doubtless ready flflfj willing to do all iii hispm'&jadyupfip their bat be.ip. wt>'nw?

of business, nnd though his general intelligenco.. liinif fo-uf - considerable advantngo (o tho' diteot, his business attainments .im,;n'ulikely to bp of ranch uso to it,- ainiply because ho has little or 'no ib'uoiness training.or expeiiouce. : ' '' .