DRIED MILK.

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 20 August 1919, Page 3

DRIED MILK.

RONGOTEA MAKES ENQUIRIES. Mr F. W. Thomas, of Hamilton, addressed a meeting of dairy farmers at Rongotoa on Saturday night, and gave an outline of recent developments in connection with died milk in the Waikato. After giving some figures relating to prices paid for batter, cheese, casein, etc., the speaker stated that the, recent amalgamation between the New Zealand Daily Association and the Waikato Dairy Association (wiiose combined turn-over exceeded £2,000,000 annually) teas the first step in tlie great dried milk scheme that would ultimately embrace tlie whole of the Waikato. The present giaxo factories at Matangi and Matamata had added £l2 to £ls per acre to the value of the land in those districts. The manufacture of skim milk powder seemed to meet, with most favour in the Waikato. Mr Thomas described the. Merrill-Soule 'process of manufacture, and stated that whole milk could be obtained from the skim milk powder by the addition of water and unsalted butter in proper proportious. Skim milk powder was worth 2s 4d to 2s (id per lb butter-fat, and the whole of the butter-fat was available for butter, so that it was confidently anticipated that .about 3s (id per lb butter-fat would be paid.

Mr Thomas then outlined the method in which the scheme would be financed. Shares of £5 were issued on a butterfat basis. At the end of tlie season an adjustment would be made with the suppliers, who would be allocated one £5 share for every ISOlb or 2001 b butter-fat supplied. ' lu addition, the suppliers had to sign a joint and several guarantee at the bank. The shares would be called up in the following manner: 5s on application, 5s on allotment, aud calls of 5s each six months, if necessary. In conclusion, the speaker stated that Rongotoa district was an ideal one for dried milk, as he had seen no finer land in New Zealand. Ho thought, however, that the dairy companies in the district, should amalgamate. After several questions had been asked and answered satisfactorily. Mr Thomas was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. At the request of those present. the chairman of the Rongotes Dairy Company (Mr William Darragh) agreed to take steps to obtain a comprehensive report on dried milk, for submission to the suppliers at the annual meeting.—Palmerston Times.