DAIRY FACTORYING.

Opunake Times, Volume IV, Issue 160, 14 January 1896, Page 3

DAIRY FACTORYING.

(to the editor.)

Sir, —It is most amusing to bear the hard words used every week when suppliers at factory see their tests, and when one thinks it is useless getting annoyed, as it is their own fault. Sensible men around the back of the mountain have taken matters into their own hands, and have co-operated with very good results. Take for example one man’s test for December on a new bush farm (he getting every point)—3‘4, SB, 8-6, 3-5. The Company pays for pounds of butter, not gallons, which is the true value. So many pounds of milk of Mr Kata Test makes so many pounds of butter. An advance is at once made by a London firm on the butter. Take for example —The firm advances 7£d per lb ; the suppliers get 6d per lb for butter ; cost of producing : wages, fuel, inter, carting, is about Id per lb ; the suppliers have the chance of getting another Id per lb or so if Home market runs it. It takes an average of 271 b of milk to one of butter. With careful management and financing co-operative factories will pay if two or three amalgamate that are near each other. If the Bank of New Zealand does not like to advance the money, it would bo a good show for another bank to get a footing, which they will not be slow to take advantage of. The guarantee required is for all suppliers to sign a bond and give factory and plant as security. How is it that farmers who have to keep the country going are left unprotected as to any company cheating them if so inclined ? If a storekeeper has wrong weights, &c., he can be pounced upon. Why not the Government Inspector test acids, milk, &c., and see we are not had. It is of vital importance that the Government should send a man around at once and ease the mind of suppliers. lam a supplier. My test stood—no matter how often or where I changed my cows—at 3’2 for months. It reminded me of a game oi billiards that was played in Opunake ten years ago, between oue of the now members of a milk company and a good old sort that is dead. The marker was a doctor who was fond of his “ wee drop.” “ Well, doctor,” said member of milk company, “ what’s the score ? ” “ 72,” said doctor. Game went ou (querio). “ Doctor, what’s my score ? ” “ 72, again.” (Querie 72.) “ Hang it,” said the member of milk company, “ whether I score or not it’s 72.” The doctor said, “ Yes, it’s the other child that stands my whisky.” I must be in the same plight with 8-2. As to market, there is now no limit for a good article; so let us, one and all, join and co-operate, as each year the price of milk is getting less, and butter, if anything, better. Next year it will be all up under present ways, so let the company be co-operate—co-operate and no surrender, —I am, &c., Fair Play.