The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 1926. EFFECIENT PRODUCTION.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 April 1926, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 1926. EFFECIENT PRODUCTION.

Tiik newly appointed Minister for Agriculture is making himself busy pleading for more production. It is of course very necessary for the financial well-being of the Dominion, that the country should have a larger excess of produce for export than is the ease. There is always a good market for such commodities, and the money value for the goods means so much inflowing wealth to remain in the country for sustained development. The Minister, however, docs not get down to details as to how more production is to come, hut he talks of utilising his officers to a greater extent in educating the farmers with regard to increased production. When this takes place it is Imped the economic side of production will In. gone into. Indeed more efficient production at this stage is as important as greater production, for the better the reward the producer receives, the more inclined fie will be to go step bv step for increased production. Efficiency is therefore tho first- aid. 'Efficiency spells increased returns, ami that is the magic way to ensure an extension of the business of the farm. In Westland where production is limited because of the land readily available under present condition*. there is a remarkable opening for more efficient production particularly in regard to dairying products. It should lie evident ere this that by centralised co-operation there is the means to produce the present output of butter and cheese at one factory where at present some seven factories are operating. One factory could of course handle the whole supply treated by the seven factories, and it is manifest- under such concentration there would he a great saving in overhead charges. Tito Central Factory at Hokitika has demonstrated the Kadi us over which cream may he brought in to supply a profitable return. and the central factory operating on a comprehensive .scale could effect such, savings in administrative costs, that the. supliers would very quickly notice the change in their monthly cheques. The return would he such as to attract more people to dairying, ond to enhance the turnover, a fact which would add greatly to the all-round profits to be distributed. While efficiency in production would thus add to the wealth of the local suppliers.

it does not follow that tho half-dozen factories which would close woiftl be a loss to the district or the suppliers. A scheme could be propounded ' wherebj tho assets could be realised upon in such a way that the shareholders would receive, at all events, tho bulk, if not all, of their money. Thero need be no penalty on

those connected with factories which would have to close. On the contrary they would at once derive an increased price for butter-fat month by month, and by degrees the capital sunk m n factory to be closed would be returned to them. At tho moment were any factory to close down suddenly it could not be realised upon satisfactorily, but under a definite scheme ot realisation a. better monetary result would be brought about, and _ the money sunk’ would lie recoverable by decrees. In some instances at present the capital is sunk indefinitely, but a reasonable scheme could be brought forward under centralisation to save any heavy loss. Farmers as a class are slow to take up business propositions, but there is no reason why in conjunction with Government experts such as are available on the stall’ of the Agricultural Depart, meat, a fair all-round scheme could be devised. The Central Factory at Hokitika was built to fill such an ultimate destiny and it is quite capable of filling the bill for the farmers of Westland. The factory lias been conducted long ennui'll now to show that all tiling's are possible in the wav of more efficient production. Cream is transported satisfactorily from very distant points, and the factory lias a turn over which shows it is an under, taking of substance. There has been, there is. prejudice against it, hut experience should help to diminish that adverse attitude. The local factory is capable of great things for tho benefit of the dairying community of 'Westland. Those nssociaied with the factory have not found their confidence misplaced. They have seen the factory become a flourishing institution, Regarding its possibilities as an instrument for greater good for the dairying section of the farmers, we believe tho time is very near at band when the centralisation aspect ot the production will be more readily availed of. and those connected with the industry will feel that flieir financial interests will bo, served best by uniting in one central factory for Westland ns a whole.