THE DAIRY INTEREST AND THE RAILWAY TARIFF.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9189, 19 October 1888, Page 6

THE DAIRY INTEREST AND THE RAILWAY TARIFF.

-.."• '■' .-,,-/■ -—'•'',■♦ "~'-'KMEETING AT PUKEKOHE. A largely attended- meeting of settlers of . this and surrounding districts was held at the Pukekohe Hotel, on the 10th instant, at four o'clock p.m., for . the purpose of strengthening ; the hands of ; ; the , Dairy u As- - sociation in their endeavours to obtain from the Government a redaction in the freight r-f milk ■ and cream sent ' by' rail to the fliffereht creameries of the association. Major Hamlin, M.ER., presided, and after reading the notice convening the meeting, said that this was a step taken by .the . Bettlers in the right direction, and he hoped, with the weight now being brought to bear " by meetings of this kind, that the Hon. the Minister for Public Works would see his, way clear to grant the concessions asked for, which reduction would directly benefit the milk suppliers who were now supplying the association's creameries with milk at a price that cannot pay them, but who are willing, even at a loss, to try by their united and humble efforts to place on a firm and 1 , substantial basis the creamery system, which most become eventually a great and lasting, good to the colony at large. The chairman then asked some gentleman to propose a resolution. • Mr. J. Hy. Wright moved the following: "That this meeting regrets that the Minister 'for Public Works could not see his way clear, when waited upon !by the New, Zea•land Dairy Association, to grant them the .'' concessions asked for in the way of a reduction of freight, inasmuch as in the opinion of this meeting that from a revenue point of ■ view the railway department would not lave suffered;' but on the contrary, much good would i- ultimately result, by the; pro- .*- motion of permament settlement along the lines of railway throughout the colony," This was seconded by Mr. J. Roulston, both the proposer and seconder speaking pretty strongly 'to the 'motion. The resolution, after toeing fully discussed, was put to the meeting and carried unanimously. Mr. Swing, J.P.i of Tuakau, then moved, " That in the opinion of this i meeting it is desirable for ,; the benefit; of agriculturists, and the prosperity of the colony in general, that the dairying industries: throughout New Zealand ..be fostered by the Government, and .that.liberal reductions be made -by the railway department .both to milk suppliers and companies who risk their capital in thisehterpriee." This was duly seconded by Mr. Morrow. ¥1 Mr. Ewing, in ;. speaking to the motion, ; told the meetingah ' emphatic language that the railway authori-, ties were in many instances driving away what would be a source of income by the excessive freights, citing cased where drays; competed successfully against the railway, and he hoped that the Hon. the Minister for Public Works: would : accede >to the terms asked for by the Dairy Association, as by granting the same it would do an immense '■ 1 ' > amount of good to tna struggling settlers. I :. This resolution was. also: put and carried j without a dissentient voice. The chairman was respectfully requested to forward both resolutions to the proper ; . authorities. ' " The sleeper business was then introduced to the meeting, the chairman explaining to :those interested what he had done and that toe ; hoped :i ere long to .have the matter ■ i settled. The meeting decided to leave the matter in the hands of their member, who Hiad done no much for them in this matter, > •and who no doubt wou!.d see the business . 'successfully carried through. ■ While the settlers were congregated, Major », 'Hamlin, still retaining the chair, called on ■Mr. Reynolds, of Waitrato, to address them. iMr. H, Reynolds' said that he and two '■ other gentlemen who were present came to Pukekohe to try, if supported, to start another -creamery as he ; heard there was quite sufficient milk produced in . that neighbourhood • to ?■ keep two creameries in fulf swing, but; he must inform , the milk producers present that under existing circumstances he could not give any more per gallon than that already promised by the • Dairy Association—that is, 2sd for the first iour months, and 2fd for ! the second four -■■•; tout he would try and meet the producers toy giving them as a bonus the difference in a-ailway freight from Waikato and Pukekohe ' to Auckland. F;:om the; feelings of those 'present, I do not think any great number accepted Mr. Reynolds' offer, as they were all clamouring for a farthing advance, and if Mr. Reynolds and company:.could-see. their way clear to give the extra farthing. asked for—that is, 2fd and 3d—l have not the ';■ ■■; >'■ - least doubt they would get ';"■ close 'on a gallons daily. ~ With a hearty vote of thanks to the chairman and to Mr. Miller for the use of the room, the meeting- separated.—[Own Correspondent.]