DAIRYING INDUSTRY.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 820, 19 February 1903, Page 2

DAIRYING INDUSTRY.

INTERVIEW WITH HON. JAMES CARROLL. GRADING STATION ASKED FOE GISDORNE. A deputation 01 settlers interested in the dairying industry waited upon the lion. James Ciuruil yesterday, and brought under tji= noiiet tne necessity for establishing a griming station i;i G;-borne. Amongst most present wire: Messrs W. A. Hood. A. Knight. D..Mnioiie, J. Townies (Mayor), McGregur. Cu-sar. Tome, W. F. Sumervine (Tolago Day), Hutchinson, W. Graham, anu T. A. Coleuian. Mr W. D. Lxsuar was unable to be present, but Mr Hood stated he was in sympathy with the object of the meeting. Mr Ilona asked that the matter be looked at from a broader standpoint by the Department. At present, ho said, the butter was knocked about a good deal in transhipping to Auckland or Welllington. In consequence of this he understood that a recent shipment brought |d a lb less than it would have done had it received better treatment. The future prosperity of the district depended a great deal upon the dairy output, which had been doubled within the last few years, and it would be of groat advantage if the Department would enable them to produce a better article.

Mr Carroll admitted the force of the grounds urged, but pointed out that the Department controlling such matters viewed it from a Departmental point of view, which precluded fair consideration by them. Looking at the question in a wider way as one affecting a large area of laud aud as a powerful factor in developing the East Coast, these considerations should weigh with the Department. He had urged upun the principals of the Department to consider the question in its widest scope, and he intended to koep at them on the same lines. They would notice that Napier was moving in the same direction, but Napier bad rail facilities for bringing them into touch with the larger centres far better than they could hope for for some time. He wished

the meeting to draw out as strong a case as possible in favor of their project, and he would do his utmost in Wellington. Experts told them that one of the chief dangers to butter lay in the rise and fall of temperature, and the Gisborne butter having to go such long journeys was subject to these dangers. lie thought the Government might strain a point, and the objection of an insufficient output should lade into insignificance in view of the great possibilities which were so obvious so far as Gisborne was concerned. Mr Hood said lie was satisfied Mr Carroll was thoroughly at ono with them. Mr Coleman aud Mr McGregor had gone

very carefully into the matter, aud had drawn up the following points : 11 The Dairy Commissioner (Mr Kinsella) warns dairy companies that if they do not improve their methods all round and produce butter of the highest grade New Zealand butter will bo pushed out of the London market by foreign competitors. Ac present Gisborne butter cannot be put on the London market in its best condition because of the lack of a cool store and grading facilities. Butter must not be frozen before being graded. At present Gisborne butter has to bo graded in Auckland. At least 48 hours elapse between Che time of delivery from the factory at Gisborne and delivery into the cool store at Auckland, sometimes the period is as much as 72 hours. During that time it is exposed to the sun while being carted ; it is stored in hot wharf sheas, and is put on board close lighters and stowed with general cargo on coastal stcamors. During the whole time the quality is deteriorating. When factories are established at Tolago and AVuimata (the latter is now being proceeded with) the conditions as regards their output will be still worse. Notwithstanding these drawbacks Gisboruo buttor is graded as No. 1. With proper facilities it should receive the highest number of points, and then should command at least Id per lb luoro in London. Besides the deterioration in quality the Gisboruo factories loso through the extra charges for double freights, wharfagos and cartages that they are put to. Thore are already in Gisborne two cooperative factories in full work—those of tile Kia-Ora an I the Poverty Bay Companies. They, with their creameries, cover the whole of the flats in tho immediate vicinity of tho town, and the whole of these lands aro being brought into use for dairy farming. Mr Lysnar’s Okitu factory provides for the Wainui settlors and those along the coast towards Pakarao. Messrs Hair Bros, also havo a factory in worn at Patutahi, tho Waimata factory. The Waimata factory is being erected to provide for the needs of that particular district, where a large area of land will be put in the market for dairy farming in the course of a few weeks. At Tolago the Government have just concluded the purchase of the Tahupau estate, which will also bo used for dairying, and will support a largo factory. Nuhaka has its factory, the output of which must come through Gisborue or Napier. The number of boxes of butter shipped from Gisborne for the year ending March 31 next will be not less than 0000. The Customs returns will not show this number, as a great part is entered as exported from Auckland, but tho figures are available from the Harbor Board records. The Department may hesitate to accede to the companies’ request on tho ground of tho expense that must be incurred, but the isolation of the district and tho largo interests involved should warrant it in dealing generously with tho district. Is it not possible to work the port in connection with some other, say Napier ? Before coming to a final decision, could not the Department place before the companies an approximate statement of their requirements as to minimum output and expenses of working, and then see whether the companies can assist them in arriving at a solution of the question ’?” Mr Townley said though the Government might make a little loss at the start they would recoup themselves by opening up the district. It was not a question of the supply, but the possibilities of the future. The expense of transhipment farmers were put to now was injurious to the industry, but with a grader they could forward the butter straight away. If the Government would only open the native lands and put them in the market there would be no fear as to the grader. The shipping facilities of Gisborue were now so great, with the mutton boats calling constantly, that the butter would go straight Home without first going to Auckland or Wellington. As one connected with the industry in the early days he understood the difficulties, and urged

that as an experiment a grader be sent up almost immediately. Mr Hood said a grader would only be wanted from October to March.

Mr Carroll said Gisborne must put forth its special circumstances for special action, although they must not disjoint the Department in its usual work. The number of vessels calling here and other information as to the importance of Gisborne should be supplied to the Department. All the largest vessels visiting colonial waters w“>re calling here. Mr Knight said if the boats called fortnightly, and they had the grader, their requirements would he met. It was resolved to draw up Gisborne’s claims for a grades! on the lines of the points quoted oy Mr Hood, the information to be forwarded to the Department to strengthen Mr Carroll’s hands.