The Frozen Meat Industry.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 396, 28 December 1889, Page 2

The Frozen Meat Industry.

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Tai speeches made at the opening of the new works st the Belfast Factory naturally dwelt largely on the present position and future prospects ot the froaen meat iodoatry. The agricultural end pastoral community of New Zealand oan bs pardoned it they miss no opportunity of dwelling with pride end satisfaction upon the remarkable development of this industry during the last few years. Frozen mast first appeared in the list ot our exoorts in 1882, whan tbe oolony sent away 8339 carcases. From them small beginnings the industry has literally advanaed by ” leaps •nd bounds,” till in 1888 it ranks next to wool and gold in value in ths list ot our exports, Evan the most sanguine amongst ns a lew years ago scarcely ventured to look forward to ths day when Now Zealand would ba sending away a million sarcasm, and already that number has been exceeded, with every prospect, at no distant data, of that quantity being doubled, Everything points to the conclusion that thia will baths Case. Oar freezing Companies show their faith in the future by expending large sums in providing facilities for freezing at the lowest payable rates. Our shipping Companies ere eqcally snUrpriaing. Tbe representatives ot the shipping Companies in August last tele, graphed Home estimating the requirements for 1890 at 850.000 carcases for ths six summer months and 650,000 for the winter months, or a total of 1,500,000 oaroaem; and in September arrangements were made by the two mail liners for inorsasiog tbs yearly carrying capacity by over 400,000 oaroaem, 40,000 bales of wool, and 1500 tons of dairy produce. These facte point to the opnclusion that tbe shipping oompanim also have faith in tbe oolony, and in ita capacity to largely increase its export trade io the immediate future. It we mistake not, the people directly interested, our farmers and graziers, will not fail to respond to the call which is now being made upon them. Qu this point Mr Grigg quoted figures which deserve to ba carefully noted. He pointed out that, notwithstanding the export which has taken place, there has been an increase of 8,000.000 sheep in the colony in the interval between 1882 and 1839. Now, thia took place, ho said, while we were in a normal and ** half-aelmp condition,” bat what will the effect bo when oar farmers wake up to what oan really bo aooomplubed? No one acquainted with the productive capacity of the country will venture to say that it has reached the limit ot its carrying capacity. As Sir John Hall pointed out, the stock-carrying capabilities ot the North Island have not yet been holt tested, while that ot the Middle Islaod oan and will be largely increased. Noted as New Zealand has already become tor grain growing, it is admitted that for grazing purposes there is no country in the world equal to it. It the agricultural community only thoroughly realise that mix’d farming is the most remunerative in the long ran, there is every reasonable prospect that the.raising ot sheep for export, and ot dairy produce for tbe same purpose, will be largely increased daring tbe next year or two. In this conneciion it is encouraging to find a cautious, careful man like Mr Grigg committing himself to the confident opinion '* that our frozen meat has emu its' lowest price.” The reason assigned tor thio shmrfol statement is that daring ths last tew years there has been a general depramion. through, out the world, and thia depression bag nstqrally told upon ths pries of froaen meet, The depression is rapidly disappearing. Trade is reviving in Bngland and olmwfien in a striking manner. In nearly all branches ot industrial activity business Is brisk, and profits are increasing. The workmen art sharing in the general revival. Wagm an rising, with tbe result that • great demand wilt at ones eprinz ap tor froaen meal and those other products which New Zealand oan supply in abundance. With our tracking teotdrtes fully organised and in_ e posltiqn with ease to enlarge their worka, with buy great linee of steamere prepared, as wo bavfi just seen, to promptly respond to the growing requirements of exporters, Now Zealand la in an eminently favourable position to take advgntqge of we hope qiill bo a groaUfi increased demand tor oar Meat and sar dairy produce. N>r have we any doqbi whatevaf that our people will be ready to take advan. toga of every opportunity which pmoeuM itself. It has been noted as • aingMak Iml that during the last year or two oar pro* daring population has shown • wonderful power of adapting themselves almost immediately to the over-varying Aides of the rjssfirjs ,&srsia which our people respond to any new opening give oonfldenoe that every frert demand tor frozen moat will find the oolony rood? ta Meet U ® S'