The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1886. ANOTHER OPENING FOR ENTERPRISE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 139, 30 October 1886, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1886. ANOTHER OPENING FOR ENTERPRISE.

Our Dunedin contemporary, the Evening Herald has called attention to what appears to be another very promising opening for enterprise in the establishment of a factory for the preparation of condensed milk. It points out that the annual value of the im ports of this article into New Zealand is no less than a fact which we feel sure will surprise most of our readers —while the consumption in all countries of the world is very large and constantly increasing. Not only ought New Zealand to be able to supply herself with this article, but we ought to be able to command a considerable export trade, our advantages being exceptional. As the Herald points out — We have magnificent grass land, plenty of water, a cool climate, and milk at half the price paid by any condensing factory in the world, the price here, as paid by the dairy factories, being about 3j4d per gallon as against 12 x /i cents, or 6%d, which is the cost of milk as supplied to the American condensed milkfactories. 'I heZ/r/.z/Zfurtherasserts that tin plate for canning is as cheap here as in the United States and that a really good factory could be equipped for a sum not exceeding The following interesting information is added by our contemporary with regard to condensed milk manufacture. “America was the birthplace of this industry, where Borden in the year 1859 discovered the process, which was perfected after many years of experiment, and very soon condensed milk, in its now familiar form, met with a large demand. America was not in a position to export a great quantity, as she required nearly all she manufactured for home consumption. The industry soon attracted attention in Europe, and factories were started in various countries on the Continent. In Norway and Sweden the industry was carried on with marked success, but Switzerland took the lead in the matter. The Italians have recently taken an active interest in developing the industry, and large quantities of condensed milk are now exported from various parts of the Italian peninsula. But, as already pointed out, there is a widely extending demand for this useful article, and as it commands a remunerative price there is no reason whatever whj New Zealand should not enter the ranks of the producers, instead of being content to be a consumer only, and it would appear indeed that there is a most promising opening for enterprise in this direction. The subject is one well worthy of the consideration of the dairy farmers of this district, and the Htrald has done good service by calling attention to it.