Manawatu Hearald. THURSDAY, JAN. 25, 1894. A Dairy Factory,

Manawatu Herald, 25 January 1894, Page 2

Manawatu Hearald. THURSDAY, JAN. 25, 1894. A Dairy Factory,

A start Was made on Tuesday evening with an industry which should be fostered in our midst. At the request of Mr J, Or. Wilson, Mr Sawers, the Government dairy expert attended at Foxton and" met representatives of the fariiierg and gave them Very valuable information. He pointed out how necessary it was, in these days, that dairy produce, both butter and cheese should be factory made, ahd that by combination farmers made a better profit than by individual production, because there was made a more even and better quality of article. The subject was discussed in all its bearings and the meeting tvas ex ceedingly pleas ?d both with the knowledge and the courtesy shown by Mr Sawers. It was resolved that a committee be formed to ascertain the number of cows obtainable and to report the same within a fftW Weeks when, should the report be favourable, steps will be taken to start a factory. Mr Sawers assured the meeting that if they did their part he would not be wanting on his part, and would be willing to stive a week or two's time in the district. It was considered that there would be little difficulty in securing four hundred cows.

A start has been made by men whom we trust will not let the matter rest till success has been achieved. We have been so assured that the dairy industry is a mine of wealth that to neglect any opportunity of further developing it seems suicidal. The best thanks will be due to those who succeed in starting a dairy factory. This is speaking of the proposed scheme on a neutral basis as some persons express a belief in butter, others in favour of cheese, and we understand that Mr Sawers asserts that cheese pays best. This is a detail that the promoters will have to work out. To the dairyman the labour will be much reduced, as only the milking and delivering will need attending to, and the price he will receive for the milk will return more than what he has hitherto been realising from the manufactured article. Viewed in this light it would appear decidedly better to do less work for the same sum of money, and therefore better to supply a factory with milk than to supply the storekeeper with butter. The storekeeper also does not want the butter as it is now brought to him, we do not say it is neither good for man or beast, but it is greatly in excess of the local requirements and not in a suitable parcel for export. The storekeeper also, fairly, remarks that he did not enter business to run a farm, and that he cannot be expected to take all the dairy produce of the farm, and if the dairymen have to dispose of some why not of all ? The factory has become a recognised institution in all country districts within the past few years, and it appears strange that no previous effort has been made in this district, which has exceptionable splendid grazing ground upon which the number of cows could be easily increased threefold. The difficulty is the start, that effected, its success is assured, as Mr Sawers pointed out the lowest return per cow per season was eight pounds and the highest eleven pounds.

There are other matters in connection with a factory which will have to bs taken into consideration, one of importance, its position, which must he one accessible to Moutoa, No. 2 Line and the Avenue. With.

out pt'ejudice xvc. should s"4y sbiiie site on the Motcft road by the cross roads Wonlrl bo a most convenient spot.. Then there is the selection of a manager, but we understand Mr Sawers can lend valuable assistance in this respect. It appears to be the duty of all our farmers to do what they can to assists the formation of a factory, as there is no telling to what lurgp transactions a smd.ll beginning may lead to. Everyone should make an effort to promise a a certain numb, rof cows. We hope to record the successful effort of the promoters before irmnv weeks have

parsed over.