CENTRAL DAIRY FACTORY

Hokitika Guardian, 16 February 1923, Page 3

CENTRAL DAIRY FACTORY

j THE MOVEMENT LAUNCHED. A well attended meeting was held at the Town Hall this morning in regard to the central dairy factory movement. The Mayor presided. Mr Perry said the meeting had been called for the ptirpo.se of considering the establishment of a central dairy factory. It was thought advisable to go into the question nt this'juncture as Koiterangi contemplated building in any case. There were many settlers adjacent to the town who would no doubt come into the proposition. The project depended on the local support. The idea was an attractive one, ami carried out on proper lines would lie a success, lie invited discussion. Mr I). J. Evans stated the meeting had boon enlivened at the request nl country settlers who thought the time vorv opportune for action. Il was a matter for the settlers as a whole. The centralised movement was now vers general throughout tlk- Dominion, Mr \Y. A. Jamieson, of Koiterangi, said he was inleresled in tlie project. A lew weeks ago the settlers of the district had decided to build a factory but were not decided whether they would take up cheese or liutter. The next step was to seek the advice of the Government experts. .Messrs Clayton and Smith attended. The advice (.f .Mr Clayton was that the best position for a factory was a central one. lie advised the people In take up butler, and favored a site at Hokitika. In Canterbury they had several examples of central fact ones being established ill Christchurch. The creameries were wiped out, heme -epar.uiien adopted, and the cream sent by n.iiior or train to i lie city. Tlie Department of Agriculture favored that course, ami were endeavouring to tiring about- centralisation generally. If it were not po-sihle to ccnlrnlj.se at Hokitika, the next best place would be to centralise at Kokalahi. where a factory could be run to advantage. Meetings bad been held in tlie country, and while Kukatnhi turned down the proposition. Koiterangi favored it, lull that district alone was not strong enough to go on alone. The Kukatnhi plant was proving inadequate for local requirements, and if nothing is done ill Hokitika. Kukatnhi would require to enlarge and Koiterangi would he building. As Arahurn contemplated additions also, the present time was opportune for action in regard to a central fnclnry. They could draw on the district Hurt It and south. and in the opinion of the speaker the opportunity wus here to do something for the (ii-tiicts and assist the town also. A recent visitor, Mr Barry, v. ho centralised dairying at Westport, advocated centralisation here. At Westport the suppliers were deriving the benefit in good prices as a result of centralising the manufacture of bolter. Mr Barry advocated unity of action by the Kokalahi and Koiterangi Sult lers. Mr Barry was of opinion that a town plant could lie erected for about i.111,(It;(), as against £1 I .’Hit) or more tor several district; concerns. The overload charges for management would be ' much les- I'm a single fuel cry as again l : '.viral district I'licLorb. - A centra! j taetorc would be able to cutup!-t" . siiei i'.ssfuli.’. against 1 be -eparate fae- • lories. A town factory would have its cool store where supplies could he obtained all the year round, and thus avoid al'V winter shortage, when money laid to h” sent out of the district to maintain local supplies. Referring to 1 ho success of the Arnliuru factory. .Mi Jamieson considers! much ol it was attributable to the advantage rlie ArnItura, factory derived from the local trade. The town factory would be able to participate in that profitable trarh. At present prices were more favourable j for local than overseas trail. . Regarding the transit of cream lo Dm lactorv. i he speaker .said the cost at: Kokntnhi wa- half-penny per pound. It would I cm- inure to bring the cream to I Ink.-, like, tint ther ■ would he a large sav- : iug on contingent necessaries to the , ,mntrv factories. Thorn would he many advantages in haying a coni .-tore .as other (cmmodities could he preserved and me could h made lor -ale. A factory adjacent to the rnilv.av would emu re tie butter bring ...•el out ouiekiy and with less neterioration. As regard- the building-. Lee islimate for Koiterangi was between Co.tHI!) and £0,090. The estimate lor i'okitika. involving a cool slo"e v. ai"• t ami the oeoi'al require.! for lb" local prelect vveidd he ehn,: . - ■ !n conclusion Mr Jamb-on urg'd unity of action at.this juncture which i! mi-s----od now might be lost for all. time. w movement would holo tim * imm e dastry together. Snwmilhug : / draining would pa - away, '-’it ! yland would remain and th" “ ; ’'l- ■ on for all time. Mr |J. AYild suggested an open discussion on the submit heiore ally molieu was moved. Air T .AY. Bruce enquir'd whin was the total output per day d the huiIV,. and I lioo-’a factories in Westland f The information was not forthcoming. AH- ||. 11. Monk was of opinion some idea -h.add be obtained a- t" support. Hr Jamieson suggested a toim "! motion. Mr Monk pointing nut that lie was not in favour of "dry' share mld- ' Air J. J. Alefntosli favoured the central idea, but thought the question at “dry” shareholders be left m abeynlliai for the company. Mr Mclntosh seconded the motion which was as bnI.e.vs : "That in the opinion ol this m; of settlors ol Kohn'nhi. KmteruVigi. 'rahura. Smith Hokitika, and •|’nturn anil the business people It ikitika. it i- desirable a canvass ' made for suppliers and hareboldei to a eo-oporativo company ol sa.i Cl2 00!) to establish a central dairy factory at Hokitika and ioat Jamieson. Mduto-b. 1.. ‘L.-' 1 . 0 ""' M Alovnihan and John Alim ii.m. will, power to add to their number, lie a provisional comnnttre to goe effect, to the motion." Air B Ward of Arahurn. who was iuvilml LO -peak, said be would -o from the Araliura stand-i>omt. It was P on—to sec that tlm townspeople »ce taking a practical interest in dairying. The liairv farmer was keen to obtain t i... best'price he could for butter-fat. Jo ihe farmers’ household all attended to the work, and tlm workers were entitled to the best price they could get. •• i Kokatahi and Koiterangi there was ■Vn extensive district, and the opening for large dairying expansion. He dm not propose to• .•idy.se the/ mmihle so - tiers of those district-. lh > vu -j able of mnnnginp: °' vn aeroed with the local press tbat mi idea of a central factory ,n Holm,-a wa .s worth considering. I lie same paper had advocated the estalinshment •• a dairv factory at Araliura some _ vears ago. and the adviim vv a.- l.u.< n. The -Yralinra factory was simcc-lu t.i its small way. Looking to the past th-i experience had been very saiwfac«« ■ Tho settlers had always received a m "d price for butter fat m the Araliura dm- ! The highest price paid in Hi..t district was 2s Sd per lh oi butter tat fo r a 70 ton output, ihe onttu .u Arnhuva was worth about £2J:‘ ■ and it was a question ot scrapping torv it it were decided to joiti up central idea. It seemed necess.m

j to have Kokatahi and Koiterangi united in the. central movement to make it a success, but ho • clid not presume in offer any special advice on tlie matter, be was merely explaining his own attitude on the matter. Airs Douglas enquired what was the position regarding tlie carting of cream to the factories." Air Jamitson explained that cream consisted of about (if; per cent, of water. Y\ lien it was all summed up, the difference in catting to town or country factory w mid not ho very great. Cream would he picked up at numerous other places betides Kokatahi and Koiterangi. Air J. Fleming thought Mr 'Limitson’s resolution covered the position. They wanted the guarantee. In Ins distriit he thought, there were onlv three settlers who supported the eon tml proposal. Alt- John Minolmit of Totara. said the Russ suppliers had had a very good run with the Araliura Company. It a central factory were established solely ltoss suppliers would come in, hut d Araliura continued, hi; thought the settlers would remain with Araliura. Others spoke briefly and the motion was carried unanimou.siy. when the public meeting concluded. Tlm pi ovisonal committee met immediately after and the following canvassers were appointed. Araliura -Messrs Bund and Douglas. Kokalahi and Koiterangi Messrs •lamiesnu. It. IL Monk and. Moylillm.i. Kanieri and Woodstock -Messrs E. Wills and G. Morris. South Hokitika and Mau.iiiu. Messrs Crown and NighUngnb’. Tiiltira—Messrs John .Aiimbau amt W. Thompson. Waitalm and south -Ale--"- ( ruppm and another. Hokitika -Messrs AMntn-h cnl Evans. Kumara district—To be appointed. The canvassers arc to ripen a- soon as convenient, when a general meeting of prospective sliarclioldtir.s will be convened to determine future notion.