DAIRY INDUSTRY

Hokitika Guardian, 8 July 1937, Page 6

DAIRY INDUSTRY

AMALGAMATION PROPOSALS. Mr H. T. Parry, who returned yesterday from a business trip to Wellington, expresses himself as 'well pleased with' the progress and result of the meeting held by him. with the Kokatahi Dairy Factory suppliers a fortnight ago. It would appear, said Mr Parry, during -a brief interview with our representative, that the long overdue scheme for Westland’s dairy amalgamation'was about to be.,put in-, to operation: fie was pleased to have Mr Mark Wallace’s co-operation with the project, as Mr Wallace had taken the matter up with much commendable enthusiasm from the farmer’s point of view. , ; , ■■■■;

It was pleasing to learn of the Kokatahi factory suppliers’ decision to join in the project, originating . from the Westland Dairy Factory suppliers situated at Ivoiterangi, Kokatahi, Waitaha and surrounding districts. These suppliers have..already commenced the formation of the Westland Cooperative Dairy Company, now about to be registered for the purpose of acquiring by purchase or otherwise, of the Westland, Kokatahi, Arahura, and Waitaha, factories (providing they are prepared to. sell), and doubtless much pleasure and agreement will be felt with such amalgamation. Respecting the Harihari and Wataroa districts, Mr Parry said there had Been a remarkable display of attachment to the Westland Dairy Company,: fas- not only the full number ,pf the‘' Company’s suppliers, but also other suppliers totalling 49 of a total number for the . districts mentioned of J6,| had signed strongly . wooded petiti|fisj .protesting against being zoned,-/and, the severance of their district from; the Westland Company at Hokitika. These petitions had been forwarded to the Dairy- Commission of Agriculture and the Government, and doubtless they would receive every consideration. It appears Jikely, therefore, cpncludod Mr Parry, that, the whole of Westland’s produce would be manufactured under one co-operative ownership, oy two units, one at Hokitika, and the other at Harihari, and in this event, which he sincerely hoped for, and with full confidence .of beneficial results, the whole of the Westland province would be under complete dairy amalgamation.