DAIRY FACTORY FOR FOXTON

Shannon News, 21 June 1929, Page 4

DAIRY FACTORY FOR FOXTON

PUBLIC MEETING FAVOURS PROPOSAL. A public meeting to discuss a pr< posal to establish a dairy factory i Foxton was held last Avec-k. Despit the inclement weather, there Avas a atendaneo of 29 present. The Mayor presided and regrette that the Aveather conditions had preluded many who 'were interested i the pi'ojpusal from attending. Fi some year's past, lie said, it had bee thought that Foxton and the immei into district should be served by, dairy factory. In this eoiuiecti* Foxton was one of the few towns wit out a factory. In his opinion the: was sufficient laud which, under tifie treatment, could be converted in good grazing land for dairying pu poses, apart from the better class liui The nearest i„eAries wove at Shonao Levin and Oroua Downs A local fa tory would save haulage which avou benefit suppliers. When the agitatii for a local dairy was afloat Tavo yea ago it had created a good deal of i forest among small farmers and tho interested in the industry. Plans li: been submitted at that time for a bi ter factory to deal with 1500 cows ai a guarantee of from 1500 to 2000 coa lia,<l been made. The proposal 1m

fallen through oAving to the princip party removing to the Argentine, the Mayor’s opinion the time Avas nc opportune to go on with the propos: It Avas for the meeting to deci what steps should be taken and to s up a committee to eainrass the- d triet. Tho small herds of from 10 20 cows were just as important cater for as the larger herds. Alreai he had received a promise from o fanner of 400 coavs and 100 cows fro another if a factory is establishe These promises A\ r ere independent smaller numbers. Another point to, considered Avas Avhether butter cheese should be manufactured. At the invitation of the chairm Mr Gotz (N.Z.L. and M. Dairy I partment) said his experience of t district Avould justify him in sayi that a cheese factory Avould be a ps ing proposition, rather than butter. 1 referred? to comp otitic n on the Engli market Avith butter from the Nortlie countries of Europe AA r liich, under Da ish instructors, Avere producing butt equal to Danish Avliich could be p on the market Avith little cost eo pared Avith NeAV Zealand. Cheese, his opinion, Avould be more profital than butter and would return more the farmer. The district AV,as well s ved Avith butter factories and cam) tition w.as keen and there Avas too mi) overlapping in haulage. There Avas i the same competition in cheese prodi tion. ,-Mr F. Woods, a shareholder in t Shannon Co-operative Dairy Compai said he was satisfied with his conm tion Avith the Shannon Company Avhi AA’as Avell established and managed a returned a good “pay-out” to the fi mors! This factory served the'Mout district, and any support for Foxt Avould, in his opinion, have to ( co: from the northern end. He ref.erito the overlapping of haulage owi to competition in the northern ar Avliich cost handicapped.suppliers. Shi non Avas able to pay out from one-pen to penny half-penny more than otl factories in the district-, due to ccoi mic haulage. Referring to cheese butter Mr Woods said that Avas for t suppliers to decide. The by-prodi from a butter factory in the Avay skim milk for the feeding of c'alv pigs ancl piultiy was of importan whereas Avhey Avas useless to the' daii man but, of course, had its value other connections. He wished t movement every success but did n think that suppliers to the Shann factory Avould change over. In reply tc a question, the chairm said 3000 cows had been promised p: viously.

Mr D. Christie said it would be i cessary to canvass the district and g a definite guarantee. He felt confide that once a start was made the fins cial aspect could be met. . The chairman said the share capii would need to be £4OOO. If shareho! ers paid up 2s per share the balan could be paid off by deducting- 4d j lb. on supplies. Other than shareho ers avould be paid id less than th paid tc shareholders. There would no difficulty in financing the propos tie had assurance on that paint. Wi the share capital guaranteed the would not.be any difficulty re finan and the shareholders’ liability woii be automatically liquidated. In reply t,o a question, the chairm stated that the construction of a chee factory would he £IOOO less than butter factory to deal with 1500 cor It was pointed out that 1000 co would need to be guaranteed for butter factory and 800 for a chee factory.

Mr Gotz stated that in his opini there was room in this district for t' establishment of two cheese factori< A cheese factory was to be establis ed at Makerua immediately under guarantee of 600 cows. After a further general discussion committee consisting of Messrs Pe reau, Francis, J. Reay, A. Evans ai G. F. Smith with power to add, w apointed to eanvass the, district ai report to a further meeting at the cai iest possible moment.