BUTTER PRODUCTION

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 994, 10 June 1930, Page 1

BUTTER PRODUCTION

N.Z. METHODS ADOPTED IN ARGENTINE LAND OF BIG ESTATES Dairying in the Argentine Is increasing enormously. New Zealand methods of handling milk and cream have been adopted throughout the country. This information comes from Mr. J. C. Sidebottom, who arrived by the Ulimaroa this morning with a family of four, to settle in the Dominion. For many years Mr. Sidebottom managed a station of 20,000 acres in the Argentine on the Western Railway area. He retired a few years ago, and returned to England, but various causes, including heavy taxation, decided him to settle in the Dominions. New Zealand was chosen because of its climate and the excellent reports Mr. Sidebottom had heard of it. The Argentine is the country of big estates, requiring a lot of capital. As yet there are no small holdings as New Zealand knows that side of farming, but Mr. Sidebottom says that the country is gradually being subdivided. On the estate which he managed, agriculture in all its branches was pursued. Linseed, oats, wheat, and lucerne were grown for export, in addition to cattle and sheep and dairying. Last year the Argentine exported 6,000,000 tons of wheat, and in the opinion of Mr. Sidebottom this amount could be doubled if necessary. Dairying is progressing at a great rate. One factory on the estate which was managed by Mr. Sidebottom handled all the milk from the stations for 10 miles around. The export of frozen mutton is also increasing., Mr. Sidebottom states that all the labouring work in the Argentine is done by Italians, Spaniards, and halfcaste Indians. The administrative work is done principally by English, French, and other Europeans. There are about 60,000 English people in the Argentine, but when they retire they always return to England for the sake of their families.