The Dairying Industry.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXI, Issue 5896, 23 February 1903, Page 2

The Dairying Industry.

ADDRESS BY MR KINSELLA.

At a meeting of the Waihou branch of the Farmers' Union on Tuesday last there was a fair attendance of members present. Mr Kinsella, the Government Dairy Commissioner, was m attendance and addressed the meeting at considerable length. In referring to the dairying industry he s#id he had been asked the question "If New Zealand was going to overdo the butter business ?" All he could say was that there was absolutely no danger, as New Zealand at present only exported one sixteenth of the whole of the butter sent Home. Canada's increase alone last year totalled 1,400,000. The main point is to keep up the quality of the article produced. Aa regards New Zealand he might mention that last year our butter sold was equal with the best Danish, for which they had every reason to be well satisfied. In order to make the business a profitable one, should a drop m the present price take place, and the price of land continue to increase, it will be necessary to improve the herds, and weed out the unprofitable animals. He recommended suppliers to purchase a Babcock tester, and have all their cows tried. Ha referred to the treatment meted out to oows, and the neglect displayed m not housing them properly during, winter, and also m not feeding well prior to the milking season coming on. In New Zealand the peoplo depended too much on nature, m fact they expected nature to do everything but milk the cow. He pointed out the advisability of the better care of milk, and recommended a brush m place of cloths for cleansing cans, etc., and recommended frequent sun baths for all utensils. A. good cooler and aerator should be procured, and put m a cleanpUce. As regards finance he might say a little. Some people feared signing the joint bond necessary to procure the money to oi-ect a factory, but he might state that out of the 13 co operative factories erected during the last two years he did not know one that hiid proved a failure. He did not th^nk there was the slightest risk here when ho looked round and compared it with other places. Ho would almost stake his reputation on the affair being a success if properly managed. As regards the most suitable plant for a butter factory he might mention that he had boon accused of recommending certain refrigerators to (he detriment of other firms. He instanced the case concerning the Paeroa factory, where he was accused of working for one particular firm. The alleged preference had been mentiened m the House, and m consequtnce of the statements made by certain individuals he had received the resignations of two of his best men which he deeply regretted. He had interviewed, the Minister for Agriculture, and requested an inquiry, but so far he had failed to get one. As far as refrigerators were concerned he never made a direct recommendation. Certainly if he saw an agent endeavouring to foister upon settlers a separator that he knew to be useless, he would consider it his duty to warm the settlers (applause). He was willing to help thp farmers m every way he could, either m construction, of factory, pioking suitable site, supplying sketch plans, etc, He would alsooe -Killing to. send a man up to assist m installing the plant. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr Ifinselja for his excellent address.