THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

Otago Witness, Issue 1891, 1 May 1890, Page 6

THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

Ifc was a happy thought not to allow the Exhibition to close without attaining some practical benefits for the dairying industry, which promises to become one of the most important adjuncts to farming in this colony as it has in America. The conference of representatives of dairy factories, held at the instance of Mr Sawers, Government dairy inspector, with a view to future cooperation, was a move in the right direction. If there is any industry which needs cooperation among all those engaged in it, the dairying industry is one such. Indeed we doubt if it can be carried on with success unless co-operation is attained. The chief desiderata for successful operations on a large scale are: 1, An even quality of butter and cheese, with a high general standard, and properly packed ; 2, common agreement as to the quantity to be shipped in any one season, so that freight arrangements can be made or favourable terms ; 3, concentration of sales as far as possible in the hands of one salesman in London ; 4, reduction of the cost of carriage to the port of shipment to the lowest possible limit ; and, 5, inspection and classification of shipments. As to the first point, it seems that it is impossible to get top prices in London except shipments are kept evenly up to a certain standard, so that one or two samples represent the bulk, and successive shipments «^o far of the same standard that New Zealand cheese having a certain stamp could get a name in the market and be relied on by the purchasers. The same remark applies forcibly to butter. As to quantity to be shipped, if insulation in cool chambers is, as we believe it is, necessary to ensure safe carriage, it is obviously essential that the shipping companies should know some time beforehand what tonnage they will have to provide for. We are informed that one company last year went to the expense of £2000 in insulating their vessels, and then because there was a good demand in Australia the cheese was not forthcoming, and they had to knock down the partition which had been made at so much expense. This year, when quantities of cheese are available, they are not prepared for it. The concentration of sales in London is more difficult, because some of the companies are in the hands of particular financial agencies, who will be unwilling to part with their commission on sales. It may, however, be possible to agree on one common broker in London, and at all events it is worth trying. The reduction in cost of carriage depends mainly on the Bailway Commissioners, but they may be the more inclined to consent to such reduction if the cheese and butter were sent in large quantity at one time from particular stations instead of sending in small parcels. Mr Sawers, after some years' experience of New Zealand, speaks in enthusiastic terms of its capacity as a dairying country. Our great drawback is distance from the markets, but some concessions in freight could doubtless be obtained if there were a large and regular supply. The question of inspection is a difficult one ; and although the conference was not inclined to endorse the proposal for a Government inspector, to which we think there are many objections, if the association now being formed became a fairly representative body they might appoint an inspector who could examine and place a corporate brand on all shipments of a certain standard, making a leasonable charge to shippers. The management of the association will greatly depend upon the secretary, and the selection should be carefully made. Meanwhile the committee I appointed to draw np the rules have the advantage of the assistance of Mr Sawers,

who, better than anyone else, knows what points are to be aimed at, and how best to obtain the objects in view. We hope no petty jealousies will prevent the co-operation of all the factories in Otago and Southland, so as to make a strong association in the South, and, ro doubt, the Northern factories will then follow on the same lines and form an association of their own.