REYNOLDS AND CO.'S BUTTER FACTORIES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2763, 29 March 1890, Page 2

REYNOLDS AND CO.'S BUTTER FACTORIES.

A L/NRGE number of the settlers living at Pukekura met Mr Reynolds and Mr Jesse King, members of the firm of Reynolds and Co., Limited, at Trecarne on Wednesday evening last to discuss dairy matters generally. This company, recognising the necessity for co-operation with the farmers to ensure the success of the factory system, had determined, in consequent of the improvement in the butter market, to call the suppliers together and arrange for the payment of an increase on the price originally agreed upon, as an inducement to the milk suppliers to extend their field of operation in this branch of farming. Under the original agreement Reynolds and Co. were to pay per gallon for milk up to the end of May, this will be increased to 3d per gallon, and for the winter supply Id per gallon will be paid in place of 3d per gallon, the original price agreed upon. This announcement was received by those present with unqualified approval, as the suppliers could not expect more than they had bargained for. The experience of dairymen during the late hot summer has shown very conclusively the value ot the factory system, and there was a general expression of approval by those present as to the value of the factory Bystem as compared with the old plan of every dairyman making up his own products and by so doing scarcely two lots would be of equal quality even it manufactured at about the same dat 9 and at the same dairy. The frank offer of Reynolds and Co. must give the suppliers confidence that their interests will be conserved. Mr King pointed out that the Company did not take much credit for their offer, it was a good thing for the farmers that the factories were in existence, and the company must look to the co-opera-tion of the farmers before they could hope to succeed. It was therefore not only right but sound commercially, that the company should break through the bargain, and he hoped by carrying out this line of policy, to establish thorough confidence and goodwill between all parties concerned. The question of percentage was raised, as to whether it would be advisable to keep to the present system, or give a fixed price for all _ milk. It was generally agreed that the fairest plan was that at present in existence, as the supplier who gave attention to improving the quality of his breed of cows and increased the percentage of cream obtained the benefit for his pains. To demonstrate the stability upon which this industry is now considered to have reached, it was stated that the Shipping Companies wore arranging so that next season boats would ba despatched from ' Auckland every four weeks, fitted up with the necessary appliances for carrying dairy produce in cool chambers. This would obviate the difficulties the company had to contend with during the past season. With regular shipments, a fair test of the London market would be made, and there is little doubt that New Zealand butter will soon establish a name for itself. Mr Reynolds pointed out to tho suppliers that one of the secrets of success that the Home market would become a profitable one, depended upon a large supply, as the quantity of butter going into consumption in England was so great, that small shipments would be lost sight of and the name would never become at all generally known unless the shipments were of considerable magnitude, it would be seen from this how much depended upon the suppliers. The greater the quantity put through the factory the sooner its name would become established, and the better price the company could afford to pay for the milk. A vote of thanks was unanimously passed to the company for spontaneously coming forward, and agreeing to pay a higher price than had been arranged. Mr Reynolds, io acknowledging the vote, expressed a hope that results would warrant the suppliers in striving to increase the supply, and that a special effort in this direction would at once be made to take advantage of the higher price now offered for their milk.