NEW DAIRY FACTORY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 3 September 1924, Page 4

NEW DAIRY FACTORY.

AT LOWGARTH

OPENED BY MR O. HAWKEN, M.P.

Ideal weather conditions prevailed and a large gathering of the factory suppliers and visitors from the surrounding district was present at the Lowgarth factory yesterday afternoon, when the company’s new factory was officially declared open by Mr. O. J. Hawken, M.P., who, together with Mr. R. Masters, M.P., who also participated in the ceremony, congratulated the company and the district on the progress marked by the completion of the new factory. Mr. A. D. Johnson, chairman of directors, presided, and before introducing the speakers, extended, on behalf of the company, a welcome to those in attendance.

Mr. Hawken expressed his appreciation of the courtesy extended by the company in inviting him to officially declare, the factory open, and said it afforded him very great pleasure to be present to perform the ceremony. He considered the factory was a great credit to the district, and indicated the advance being made in the industry in a most progressive dairying area. Referring to the progress made in the district, the speaker said it had necessarily entailed a great deal of work by the settlers, but it must afford great satisfaction to' them when viewing the cleared and beautifully grassed paddocks of the present day, to draw a mental comparison showing the big advance made since the days when the same areas were covered with standing bush. Lowgarth could be regarded as a wholly dairying district, and he believed the industry had been most profitable to the district. Without the dairying industry, it would be difficult to say where the Dominion would be, and for the remarkable progress made of recent years in New Zealand great credit was due to those engaged in that* occupation. Realising this, the Government was extending all possible assistance to those engaged in the industry. Last year £4,000,000 had been advanced in loan moneys, and it was proposed to make a further £3,000,000 available in order to help the farmer as far as possible in meeting difficulties regarding finance. Times were said to be difficult for farmers, but the difficulties were only the natural i outcome of the slump consequent upon over speculation during the boom period. Complamtsjiad been made that the prices of lis 5d and Is 6d per lb butter-fat were not satisfactory, but he thought that if those prices could be maintained, dairymen would be doing fairly well That Lowgarth was going ahead was evidenced by the newly completed factory, the erection of which could not have been contemplated had the company’s affairs not been in a good state. Also there was. ample evidence that the direction of the company’s' affairs and the factory management had been most efficient, for the company had made the highest pay-out in South Taranaki. This reflected great credit upon both the management and suppliers, and it was with great pleasure that he extended his congratulations. Referring to the Dairy Control Board, Mr. Hawken said they had naturally not been able to effect a great deal so far. The board was only just getting into its stride, but as a member of the board, he could say that as the result of investigations they were finding out a great deal-con-cerning matters of vital interest to the industry, and it was essential that there should be some body in authority to take necessary action. The work of the board necessarily entailed a certain amount of expense which however, would he trifling in comparison with the benefits its activities would produce. The- board had just appointed a shipping inspector to guard the interests of the industry with relation to the handling anil transport of the produce. This was essential, and was undoubtedly a step in the right direction. He thought the hoard would be able to do a very large amount of beneficial work, though the results of its operations would not always be immediately manifest. Concluding his remarks, Mr Hawkin wished the Lowgarth dairymen every success and hoped that the excellent record already achieved by the factory would be worthily maintained in the future. . He then called upon Mrs. F. Willan to sever the ribbon streamers extended across the factory entrance, following which Mr Hawken formally declared the factory open. i

Mr. R, Masters, M.P., who followed expressed m Ins opening remarks his thanks to the directors and suppliers for the kind invitation extended to him to take part in the ceremony marking the opening of the new factory, to which he referred as. a step forward in the district’s progress. The , b f llldl s of new factories, "continued Mr. Masters, was always a good indication of progress. Another good barometer m that respect was the attendance at the primary schools. The Lowgarth and Mahoe schools had only recently been enlarged, and it now afforded him pleasure to note the further advance made at Lowgarth by the erection of their new factory He congratulated the factory directors and management on their efficiency and the opportunities afforded to suppliers, but wished to remind the latter that it was only by sending to the factory the very best milk it was possible to supply that they could make it possible tor the manager to produce the best article. Hew Zealand produce was meeting with, ever-increasing competition from other countries, notablv Siberia and the Argentine, and in order to maintain their position on the world s markets, Hew Zealand dairymen would have to use every endeavour to keep up the quality of their products. Quality, not quantity, must be the primary consideration. The growth of dairying operations in the Argentine was astounding, and those who moted it realised what it could possibly mean to the industry in Hew Zealand. He regretted to note that there seemed to be a tendency to lowering of quality in the Hew Zealand article, and also regretted that buyers on the British markets were not prepared to accept the Hew Zealand grading, as they had done previT? U ii‘- i Observations made bv Mr Kuddick, Canadian Dairy Commission- ' ' v f ° r n- se . rious consideration. ha nffl 11 wu Zeala i Kl that Kentleman had offered the opinion that this eoun- • y *i ad nothl »S to learn from Canada W n ? at 1 t T J ° 1 f cliee!se manufacture, but he had lately said that the quality. of Hew Zealand cheese had slipped back.” Consequently, conHew d 7 - ty a , sters > behoved every l\eu Zealand dairyman to do his nt most to check the decline Speaking of the Daily Control hiThil Mr ' Ma i ste , rs said that although he had opposed the Bill, he recognised law of the 8 land, a S ty s duty - 1,1 common with a 1 others, to get behind the board and solidly support it. He sincerely hoped that the board’s work would

prove his previous 'opinion to have been wrong, in which case he would willingly admit it. In conclusion, Mr. Masters congratulated the company on > the enterprise manifested by their building venture, which should undoubtedly prove of great benefit, and hoped that the splendid pay-out figures of the Lowgarth company would _be equalled, if not excelled, by them in future seasons.

The platform party and the majority of those in attendance then made a tour of inspection of the factory, following which they were entertained at afternoon tea, which was served in the hall. This provided a fitting conclusion to the ceremony, approximately 200 guests being present. A. lengthy toast list was honoured," during the course of which much complimentary reference was made concerning the services, rendered by the directors and the factory manager (Mr. Taylor) and staff and the work of the building contractor (Mr. J. Simmons). The toast list was as follows; “the King,” proposed by the chairman (Mr A. D. Johnson); “The Dairying Industry,” proposed by Mr. T. J. Hall and responded to by Mr. Jacob Marx; “Members of Parliament,” proposed by Mr. L. Babington, Messrs. O. J. Hawken and R'. Masters, M.P.’s, responding; “Neighbouring Companies,” proposed and responded to by Messrs. E. A. Gray and J. B. Clemow respectively; “The Builder,” proposed by the chairman, Mr. J. Simmons responding; “Messrs. Lovell and Ohristrnas” proposed by Mr. F. Willan, Mr. W. B, White responding; “The Factory Manager,” proposed by Mr. A. r^i SulZ o erger ’ Mr - Taylor responding; The Secretary, proposed by . the chairman Mr. T. H. Penn responding; Ihe Ladies, proposed by Mr. W. Richardson,. Messrs. J. Burke and F Hall responding; and “The Press'V proposed by Mr. T. J. Hall and responded to by .Messrs. A. E.s Copping and R, F. Page. b In all the appointments , of. the new factory the endeavour has been made to the highest modern standard ot efficiency and convenience, and the suppliers now have a thoroughly untordate plant to handle their raw material.

~ The building is of concrete construe* tion and was built by day labour in accordance with, specifications prepared by the contracting overseer, Mr. J Simmons, of Stratford, in consultation Taylor 16 iactory maua ger, Mr. J. L.

th ? Present the .factory wilLopeiate under its own power, but motors have been installed, so that the eleS SUPP 7 C&U be utilisea when

Further details of the factory were published on August 16. :