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Hokitika Guardian, 27 August 1930, Page 4

A North Island weekly remarks that the West Coast of the South Island seems to be well on the way to earning the title of “a miniature Taranaki.” This is a pleasing note of approval, and it is likewise gratifying to all that the anticipation is borne out by palpable facts. Local reports indicate that the dairy factories here are increasing steadily - their output of butter, and the increased yield bears testimony to the further possibilities, as the ground is cleared up, and in many Instances rescued from ggrse and blackberry, and recovered for grass and other pastures, There is also ample room for more expansion by the development of fresh farms, to say nothing; qf the more intensive Vise of existing farm hinds, And not only is the quantity of West Coast butter in'Ten sing, but the quality also. The northern paper from which we quoted at the outset, goes on to say: ;< Only three classes were available for butter exhibits at the Canterbury Winter Show, and the Golden Coast Dairy Company, Limited, gained a nlace in each class—two first prizes and one second. An officer of the Dairy Division of the Department of Agriculture, who was one of the judges at the show, said that the West Coast butter exhibit was very fine. The reason for the better quality, he said, might be that the system of collecting the cream was better. For show purposes, factories paid particular-atten-tion to the preparation of their exhibits, and such care could be given more easily in a small factory than in a large one. The West Coast generally line! the better butter, perhaps because the pastures were sweeter and cleaner. The produce from the West Coast was well and favourably known in the North Island, the coast having climate and pastures much the same as in Taranaki. At the last Waikato- Show at Hamilton the Golden Coast factory, with headquarters at Reef ton, gained third place in competition with 94 factories, At the Palmerston North Winter Show, the then assistant-managej of .the company, Mr E, L, George, gained second prDo ip the class for the best'box qf butter manufactured by an assistant-manager of a factory, Rutter frqm the .Rep Hop district, from Lyell tp Totaru'Fhlt, a distance of 51 miles,' was the highestrgraded exported through Lyttelton in the 1929-30 season.” Our contemporary could also nave quoted the repeated successes of the Arahura Dairy Factory, a'nd also that of the Kokntahi Factory, as well as others in tl is locality, The sum total of the praise indicates the suitability of the West Coast soil, and nnstures for dairy produce, and as a staple industry it should have the best attention. It is a fact that at the moment the produce market is depressed, but there are few commodities indeed which are not in the same category, and perhaps the market may not be very responsive for a little while, because of the world conditions; but ultimately normal conditions will return, and though abnormal prices may not again be the oxnerlence of the present generation, a fair return for the industry involved should result. It has been held always that dairying; would be one of the pros - Dering industries on the Const, and looking back over }he achievement of past years that belief has been justified. As for the future, confidence and patience is necessary to he reposed in the industrial welfare, and a]] will he well. The cheaper land here, the suitable climate, and the facilities now for manufacture all count very promisingly, and under efficient organisation the dairy industry should continue, to flourish.