MAORI DAIRYMEN

Hokitika Guardian, 7 October 1929, Page 8

MAORI DAIRYMEN

SUCCESS IN POVERTY BAY. For some years past those intimately connected with the dairying in clustry have watched with interest tin •progress of Maori dairying on tin ,'East Coast, more particularly in tli Poverty Bay district and in the 13a; of Plenty,, operations having been 01 a bigger scale in these places than elsewhere-. The consolidations of native land which have taken place in Poverty Bay during recent years, have given the Maoris individua holdings in place ol the comm.pnisti-r-ally held land of the past. They .have effected a complete revoluton. for whereas, when the lands were helu in common there was no- incentive towards fullest utilisation, to-day even owner wishes to make the most from his lidding. Dairying around Ruatorea, almost exclusively in the hands of Maori fanners, . was regarded as a unique experiment only a. few short seasons ago, and there were many speculations as to whether or not the Maoris would make successful farmers. Many prophesied failure and thought that the Maoris would never withstand the drudgery of dairy farming. The genius of Sir A. T. Nga.ta has guided the destinies of this Maori farming movement, and every season sees more farmers, greater supply to the dairy factor*, and better farming methods in vogue. THOROUGH OR G ANTSATION. The Maoris have given a lesson in co-operation, which would iput many a so-called co-operative company to shame. The bickerings so often heard p.t factory meetings have been entirely absent from shareholder discussions in this new venture. The company is prospering, the Maoris are better off, and the district is steadily forging ahead. Further consolidations are still under way, and for sonic years increased land will be available for dairying—land which in former times has been loosely farmed, or else been utterly neglected. This is all to the good, and there are some lessons which every farmer and every daily factory can learn from this united and well directed effort. Before the venture was ever got under way careful organisation provided high quality stock foi* the new farmers, and scrub bulls—the curse j of dairying in some districts—were taboo. Once the holdings were consolidated, and individual titles granted, it was possible to raise money on mortgage, and this was done on masse, loans being provided for the purchase of milking machinery, stock, etc. Everything possible was done to standardise plant, and instead of dozens of different makes of engines, milking machines, etc., these were kept down to a few different types, thus making for greater efficiency. GRADES AND PUREBRED'S. Several hundred head of stock were brought through from Taranaki during the season before dairying was commenced, the grade Jerseys thus being acclimatised in the district before operation?! were, started. Purebred hulls, sufficient for the success of the scheme, were also purchased. The quality of the stock to be seen in the district at the moment—and inoidentallly the stock is in wonderful condition—is very much better than that of many dairying districts. From the outset the Maori farmers showed the greatest keenness, being ready to learn and only too anxious to be shown, the be,st and most efficient methods of performing various jobs on the farm. Some imagined that they would bo less clean than European farmers, but this has proved entirely wrong. A visit to any of the sheds shows everything in good order, and the excellent grading of the factory (the great hulk of the output is “finest”) shows that things are right from the quality viewpoint. Many of the sheds to he seen there now are equally as well-equipped as any in New Zealand, and could not be improved upon in any way. The same can he said of the methods of the most progressive Maori farmers. There are riome who lag behind, hut a visit to the district makes one think that the percentage is smaller than is the case with European, farmers. THE SEASON AHEAD. Bright prospects are ahead of the factory this season, and there is every probability of a. further increase in output. Incidentally the output has boon creeping up year by year, and the grading from the outset has been exceptionally good. A certain amount of cropping is done, but in the main the Maoris rely upon grass farming for their returns. The country is mostly of first-class quality, and the cows do well all the year round. Provision against dry spells in summer is certainly necessary, but hay and ensilage give this. The success of this Maori enterprise is a lesson in the establishment and successful running of real co-operative dairying, but it indicates also how great is the factor of management. One of the greatest weaknesses of many of our dairying companies in New Zealand to-day is the lack of , management, and all that this im- , plies. 'Solid business control is ne- : cessary, and in this instance it i« : provided. Disgruntled shai e-holdei s | can undermine the position of any j company, but when complete control j is vested in one man, or in a small I group, greater efficiency is secured, ilf the whole of our co-operative dairy ! companies to-day were working on a ' basis as satisfactory as the Ngati- | cornu Dairy Co., the farmers of New i Zealand would be in a happier posi- | tion, and would be receiving greater ! returns,