The Waikato Time AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal and exact justice to all men. Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. TUESDAY, SEPT. 25, 1888.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2529, 25 September 1888, Page 2

The Waikato Time AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal and exact justice to all men. Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. TUESDAY, SEPT. 25, 1888.

The subjcct of dairy farming has been so often written about, that it is a somewhat difficult matter to discover new arguments to lay before our readers. There are, however, circumstances in connection with the industry, in the transition state it presents itself to us here in the Waikato, that fresh material can be found for additional discussion. Reference has already been made to the difficulties attending the operations of the Freezing Company last season, and, in the advancing season, those of the Dairy Association who have re-opened the Waikato creameries. Efforts have been then made, and now, by both companies to secure from the Government some concession towards aiding the development of the industry, in the shape of lower railway freights for the conveyance of cream to the butter factory in Auckland. Or, that the cream should be classed as special goods and chargeable on a differential scale. In neither case was success met with, the .Minister of Public Works having declined to entertain the request; therefore the Dairy Association go into the. field this year with the conviction that they must accept the alternative and do the best they can for themselves and the farmers without any reasonable encouragement from the Protection Ministry. This is where the weakness in the Association's arrangements presents itself. They collect the cream at a distance exceeding one hundred miles from the chief factory where it has to be manufactured into butter, and to which it - iws' to be conveyed in a bulky form that entails a much heavier cost than they can bear with equanimity. In pursuing this plan the Association is in the same position as that of a general going into action cut off

from his base, whereby he runs not only the risk of defeat, but total destruction of his army. There is no doubt that it would be far more advantageous to the Dairy Association if, instead of taking the cream to Auckland, there to be made into butter, they made the butter in Waikato and conveyed the manufactured article there ready for the local consumption, or for shipment to foreign markets. The difference between the cost of carrying the butter by rail and that now charged for the cream in bulk would be a distinct gain to the company, and appreciable enough to strengthen their hands in building up their business in this district. Without presuiwinf to teach the Association, or anyone else, how to manage their own concerns, we are filled by a strong desire to see the dairy industry fairly and firmly established amongst us, and looking at it as a question of national importance it is as well from a sense of duty that we offer every assistance in our power to effect that consummation. If we are not mistaken the idea of a central factory in the Waikato was entertained by the managers of the Freezing Company last year, and it certainly appears to be the most feasible method to adopt in order to make success more favourable. A factory for the manufacture of butter should be erected in the most central locality in the Waikato, wherever in the judgment of the Association that may be. It should be within reach by rail of all the receiving creameries already established, as well asofothers that may be formed in the future as the plan of operations enlarges. The central factory, as well as the creameries, should be accessible to supplier.', within a radius of twelve or fifteen miles, who cannot convey their supplies by rail but have the advantage of good roads through their districts. Mr Reynolds began at once at the right end by making his Anchor butter on the spot, and it seems very clear that, so far as hfo

efforts are concerned, the industry has the elements of success and has a splendid future before it. The Railway .Department have now a number of cool vans which were. specially built for the conveyance of meat for the Freezing Company. Since the cutcrpri.se fell through, this rolling stock has been in the yards at Newmarket lying idle and deteiionting. They could be at once utilised for the conveyance of butter in any quantity from the Waikato, and in the hottest weather. Let us hope that the Dairy Association may extend its plan as we have suggested, and that the Hail way Department will assist the industry by placing at their disposal whatever facilities they posses at hand, even if they cannot go so far as to break through their traditional official policy of amending the scale of charges in the Association's favour.

We see by an article in the New Zealand Country Journal that a .similar view of the question is put forward in Canterbury, where an effort has been made to combine and start one central factory, fed by local umiraeries. Some of the advantages are stated to be as follows : —" A factory manipulating the cream of two or three thousand cows would be on such a scale as to warrant the employment of the very best expert which could be procured. The factory would afford a school of instruction for the sons of dairy farmers, who would receive instructions, practically and theoretically, on the best methods of conducting dairies and factories. The manager would have general charge of the district creameries, and lie would be available for occasional lectures on all matters pertaining to the dairy.