THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 1909 DAIRYING IN THE KING COUNTRY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 151, 29 April 1909, Page 2

THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 1909 DAIRYING IN THE KING COUNTRY.

THE part played by dairying in the settlement of the rural lands of the Dominion is too well known to need enlarging upon, and that the industry is being established in this district on sound lines is a matter upon which our settlers are to be congratulated. It was early recognised that the King Country offered special facilitif-s for dairying and tne of the Government in opening the Crown land? for ! settlement whs considerably influenced j by such knowledge. t 'nfoi lunat'ly. I however, the existence uf areas j of Native owned lands separating t\\c \ various Crown settlements render it a

difficult matter to have the industry ; organised thoroughly on the most pro- ; fitable lines and considerable time I must elapse before a connected chain j of factories and creameries can be established throughout the distirct. Other difficulties will also require to be overcome before the district can enter thoroughly upon what is undoubtedly the most flourishing and profitable branch of farming known to the Dominion. Chief among these is the matter of transit from farm to factory and from factory to railway. It is satisfactory to realise that Mr Hogg, Minister for Roads, is thoroughly impressed with the potentialities of the j district and we may confidently look for the prosecution of a progressive roading policy upon the part of the authorities. If the Minister's declared intention of making the main roads fit for traffic in the shortest possible time is carried into effect, the result on the Industrie» of the district will be apparent in a very short time. It must be borne in mind, however, that roads other than main roads require particular attention,and in order to derive the full benefits from the Government work, the settlers will require to dip deep into their own pockets and carry out a metalling policy on their own account. Channels for raising the necessary money are provided in the shape of County Councils, and only by taking full advantage of the borrowing powers of the Council can the district hope to develop its industrial potentialities. The establishing of a factory at Piopio, which is now practically assured, should be the means of providing a steady and assured return to a large number of settlers and it is not too much to say that a great future is in store for such'a well situated factory. With the hearty co-operation of the settlers, which can assuredly be counted upon towards a definite object, there can be little to fear in the future. Each succeeding year should see larger returns and an extension of business in all directions,while the opportunity afforded to the settlers of obtaining steady cash returns and improving their holdings counts largely in the sum of prosperity and progress of any district.