THE DAIRYING INDUSTRY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 514, 2 November 1912, Page 5

THE DAIRYING INDUSTRY.

- - - ADVANTAGES OF CO-OPERATION

TE KUITI DAIRY FACTORY

PROSPECTS FOR THE SEASON

The Te Kuiti Co-operative Dairy Factory, which had a trial run last season for a few months, commenced operations this year under highly favourable auspices. Possessed of the most up-to-date factory in the Dominion, equipped with all the modern machinery for dealing with homeseparated cream, the directors were in the happy position of being able to direct their efforts towards organising the business in the best interests of the suppliers. Fortunately for the district the results have been all that could be desired, and the prospects of the industry in the King Country have been greatly enhanced in consequence. Desiring to learn the progress and prospects of the company for the present season, a Chronicle representative waited on Mr Boddie, chairman of directors for the company, for the purpose of getting his views. To those who may not have been in touch with the starting of the dairying industry in the district on co-perative lines, the following may prove of interest :

"Yes" said Mr Boddie, "the Te Kuiti factory is working entirely on the home-separation system —and what is of equal importance, entirely on the co-operative system, of which I am an out-an-out supporte?." In reply to a query as to his views on co-operation as applied to the dairying industry, Mr Boddie was most emphatic. One has only to look at what co-oDeration has done for the province of Taranaki," he said. "In that district all th 6 big monopolies, as well as the small proprietary concerns, have been absorbed, with the result to-day the farmers themselves control the indutsry in all its branches In addition to the ordinary factories such branches as saw-milling, boxmaking, *and freezing are regularly carried on by co-operative dairy companies. They are also controlling the shipping service, with the result that by combination and co-operation they have practically eliminated the numerous middle-men's profit which constituted such a heavy handicap to the suppliers in the early days of the industry. At the present time the farmers own property, apart from their own private affairs, solely connected with the dairying industry amounting to some £1,350,000, while the gross turnover of the business controlled by the various boards of directors amounted to about £750,000. There is no doubt in my mind that th» lessons learned by the Taranaki farmers will in a few years be applied more closely to this and other parts of the Auckland province, and unless the farmers in the different districts are blind to their own interests they will support their various local cooperative companies. It would be a sorry day for the farmers if they allowed any big concern to monopolise the industry. The whole trend of modern legislation is in the direction o£ protecting the public from monopolies. No matter how attractive the offers and conditions held out by such concerns may be, the fact remains that the farmer by encouraging cooperation is conserving his own interests and placing himself in a position to get the best possible reward for his industry." What, in your opinion, is the future of the industry in the King Country?

"There is no duubt, I think, but what such centres as Taumarunui, Te Kuiti, and Otorohanga will in a few years' time have their own local cooperative companies, and while I would not advise starting too early, each of the districts when properly developed, will find it to their advantage to control their own business. "The effect of home-separation will probably be that fewer small factories will be established than under the old system, but it is obvious that this is immaterial so long as the concerns are on co-operative lines, and the suppliers are getting the full benefit of the whole business. In the meantime the Te Kuiti Co-operative factory is dealing with the cream of between 2000 and 3000 cows, with the prospect of double that quantity next season. With such an abundant supply and a faetory established on the most up-to-date lines known to the Dairy Department, with no big salaries to pay, and with such close proximity to the railway, we are in a position to compete with any other concern in the world. Moreover, as we are accepting cream from such districts as Owbango, Piriaka, and Taumarunui on the south, Kawa, Kio Kio, and Otorohanga on the north, without binding the settlers in any way. We are really carrying out the spirit of true cooperation inasmuch as we are assisting these districts until they are prepared to start district factories of their own." Has not the company assisted the settlers in other respects? "Yes," said Mr Boddie, "but not more than Was its duty as a farmers' co-operative concern. Naturally those connected with the factory understand and sympathise with settlers in new districts because we are all labouring under the same disadvantages As settlers ourselves and as I a company, we naturally advocate the requirements of every district with which we come in contact. We would do the same for the district whether it was supplying to the factory or not, but, of course, we are | mure likely to l9arn the various requirements of people with whom we come in contact than others. For instance, take the matter of the Government supplying settlers on improved farm sections with cows. The people associated with our company, both individually and collectively, have done their utmost to have this system adopted by the present Government. I am glad to say that I have just received a letter from Mr Wilson, member for the district, intimating that the Prime Minister has given the matter favourable con-

sideration, and all approved settlers I will be supplied. This should be welcome news to many of our districts, and the settlers should loso no time in applying for necessary stock. In any case of individual settlers also the company ia only too glad to do what is possible to help them along. Of course, the factory is only a new concern and cannot go too far in tho way of finance, otherwise the interests of suppliers as a whole would be jeopardised. All who are connected with tho company recognise the necessity for roading the district, and never lose an opportunity of advocating the settlers needs. Co-operation of the description is in my opinion, is tho finest thing possible for any district, and I am pleased to say the settlers are recognising the fact."