POULTRY CO-OPERATIVE COMPANIES.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 242, 21 October 1901, Page 3

POULTRY CO-OPERATIVE COMPANIES.

Mr D. D. Hyde, Government poultry expert, in the course of a chat with a representative of the Auckland Star said that at Hawera a public meeting was held with a view to starting a Poultry Cooperative Company. One had alreadybeen commenced at Patea. and it had been decided to form a company at Stratford, New Plymouth and iVairarapa. These companies exist for the purpose of buying up from farmers all available poultry, which is fattened on the poultryfarms for export to London or South Africa. Mr Hyde complains that in the Auckland district the people have unfortunately taken but little interest in the matter, and are not awake to the possibilities of tbe industry. In the South every effort is being put forth, and every opportunity seized. A representative of one of these Southern companies is at present iu the Auckland district completing arrangements for the establishment of a poultry farm in the North. Owing to the largely increased export of poultry the price has been raised nearly 100 per cent., and the latest Government returns from ['urban state that poultry realised 6s 7ld per pair. The district about Auckland is eminently suitable for the successful carrying on of the industry, and if Aucklanders are not quick the trade will be carried on in their own district bycompanies in Southern towns. Mr Hyde states that the poultry farm and all appliances which are at present at Motuihi will be removed to the new farm at Hamilton, which will be in working order by next June. The inducement to export poultry is now greater than it ever has been before. Not only has the price increased, but the demaud has also largely increased, and may be expected to grow still more when the country becomes more settled. The shipping companies, too, have reduced the freight upon poultry and eggs to 2s per foot, which means that poultry can be landed in England or South Africa at an expense of only Is Id per pair.