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Hokitika Guardian, 18 October 1929, Page 4

The success of dairying in Westland has been well established now by the various dairying concerns in the district. Tiie annual meetings being held m the various centres, po.nt to good years all round, and the suppliers have reason to be satisfied with the pri e paid for butter-fat.. The aggregate sum paid out in the district for cream suppl.ed must be very substantial, and indicates tne wealth of the industry. Although dairying imposes much regular and steady toil, it is remunerative, and prices now appear to be .airly well stabilised at payable rates. This is encouraging, and there is every reason to believe the results will continue satisfactory. The success of dairying and its steady expansion means that there is an assured future for tiie industry in Westland. Those on the land here are relatively in a much better poistion than most of the larger producing districts, because the value of land is more moderate, and tne settlers are not involved with heavy overhead costs in the way of interest payments. They are on a better footing, especially in cases where the freehold is clear, and that is the position, in many cases. Relatively, therefore, on the capital invested and the running charges, the majority of the settlers must be on a prospering grade, and steadily improving their position. They are to he congratulated on that result which means a contented and flourishing community giving permanency and solidity to the district. The growth of feed this season is as promising as it ever has been. The settlers’ work has helped in that direction and by ploughing and tilling their land or topdressing it, they are being well repaid. It is to be Hoped the herds are being given attention in the direction of testing, and so ensure the greatest economic gain for the labour and outlay involved. Herdtesting in this district is not on the I s ientiPe lines pursued in other places, where dearer land and interest charges ' compel the fullest attention to Ml details of farm management. It is now widely recognised that herd-testing is a wise policy for the dairy farmer, and that attention in that direction well repays the time and cost involved in the safeguard referred to. The dairying season appears to promise well, and the suppliers should enjoy another good period. Tiie country as a whole fully requires the help the settlers can give in the way of wealth production, and while other avenues of farming

may not be as promising just at the moment, it is well in the national interests that dairying is likely to flourish exceedingly.