THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 122, 25 May 1903, Page 4

THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

QUESTION OF 00-OPBRATIOJf,

(Fboh ode Own Uorbespokdext.) A Hbeting of dairy farmers was held at Okato last Wi ek to consider the advisability of s'arting the co-operative system. Mr A. Gray took the chair. There were 15 milk suppliers present, representing Leith Koad Creamery, Oxford Road dreamery, and Xaihibi Factory. The distance and threatening weather accounted probably for the non-attendance of any r<pr<.sentativee from Puniho.

Mr Clarke, who has hid experience aa a supplier both to a co-operative and a Ciown factory, expresred the opinion that he waa satisfied that co operation was to the supplier*' benefit in every way.

Although all the farmers present seemed qai'e in favour of tho cooperative system, yet there seemed to be a diffidence or inna'e shyness which hindered them expressing their views freely. For a few minutes the silence was oppsessive. At this stage the Chairman trenchantly remarked, "Now's the tima to spsak. There's no good in going home discontented and then tilkirg and growling in the morning at the factory. Now's the time."

A motion in favcur of co-opsration was then put and carried uaanimowly. The following committee, Kith power to add, was appointed Messrs A. Gray, Metcilfe, Avery, O'Sullivan, P. Brophy, Daly, Twigg, J. Putt, The meeting then went into committep, and Messrs A, Gray, Metcilfe, Avery, and P. Brophy were appointed delegates to meet tha Grown Dairy Company, wi'h a view to comiDg to terms about the purchasing of the factories and plant. Mr Daly suggested that to prevent any few from being left in the lurch a legal document should be drawn np and signed by each supplier. This proposal found favour with the others present. Mr O'Suliivan passed the proverbial remaik, "Oldest pl>ce and nnst behind." Mr Gray, "Yes, and some are losing fiom £1 to 30a a day by being behind;' .Tee meeting cl:sed with a vote of thanks to the cbairman. On Wednesday last Hefs r s Cock, George, and King, on b:-half of fie Crown Dairy Company, mej the cuppliers at the Ok*to Hotel to discuss the question, when Captain Knight was voted to the chair. All thrae representatives addressed the meeting, the tenor of their remarks being that if the supporters were unanimous on the matter they could not do better than co-operate. As far as the Crown Company was concerned no obstacles would be put in the way, and any suppliers who were financed by the cornpiny would be enabled to make arrangements that would be agreeable to them. After discussion, however, it was apparent that opinion was divided. Ur Metcalfe, to test the fueling, moved: "That the farmers of the Okato district foim" a Co-operative Dairy Company." This was seconded by Mr Gray and carrieJ, tu 1 ; it was afterwards negatived when taken on the number of cows, 569 for co*>pera.tion and 673 against, one or two farm era not vo'ing, biiug in favour of cooperation if the same was up to date in equipment. Mr Cock though 1 , in view cf the differences of opinion, it would be better to proceed by way of requisition and get every farmer to sign for the number of cows he would be prepared to mi'k for the proposed factory. Vo'es to the representatives of the Crown D.iry Company, and to the chairman concluded the meeting.