FARM AND DAIRY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 324, 15 January 1909, Page 3

FARM AND DAIRY.

• CO-OPERATIVE BACON COMPANIES. ,' Speaking at a meeting of fanners at ; Maiiutahi on Tuesday, Air. E. I'arrott, secretary of the Eithaiu Bacon Co.. said 'that there Was a great difference in ■the running of a bacon and butter company on co-opera live lines, in the lirsl place, Hie dairy produce was chiellv sent out of the Dominion. Willi a bacon' company tiny had to rely o„ In'.al markets. Then there was'a large amount of capital required to pay for 'pigs with, a kicDii company, as' the I bacon and hams might be kept in store •for eight or nine months. There was also the matter of shrinkage—a big ■item. And the company also had to bear Hie Joss when diseased pigs were 'supplied. Then there was the matter ■of uniformity of quality of the pigs Wippliijd, as it was greatly to the ud'Vautagc 1 of shareholders to supply them •as uniform as possible. The speaker 'dealt with the methods employed by certain companies in their efforts to '-•rush the co-operative concerns, and instanced their rushing up to thigh 'prices and the consequent high prices of 'bacon and ham, which made these goods n luxury. Then the markets became overstocked, and a fall ill price was the 'result. Proceeding, the speaker explained in detail the position occupied by 'the Elthani Bacon Company; how a big 'loss had been sustained owing to fire, and that for years the company had •been harassed by being unfortunate in ■the selection of managers. They had 'now an excellent stall', and for the •past season's working came out just si'lxmt square. But they had only put through about 2000 pigs, whereas the iplanl was capable of dealing with a much larger number. The reason why outsiders could compete in this district and sometimes offer a little extra, he explained, was that live pigs could be sent to Wellington cheaper than could icured hams and bacon; also there was « splendid market for small goods there. Mr. Parrott dwelt on the advantages 'of co-operation, and explained that his eontpany issued £lO shares, £1 being "payable every six mouths until paid up. die showed that certain financial assistance would be necessary in the way of guarantors, as in the'busy seasoii they were paying out about' £3OO a 'week for pigs, for which the company got no return until some months later. 'ln the dairy industry' it was much 'easier to get an advance from the bank, because the product was not so risky 'to advance on.

A number of questions were asked Mr Parrott. Among Ms replies lie said'the 'Elthain company could put through 5000 pigs iu the year, against the 2000 Iput through lust year. He thought there was no question but that the "Eltliam and Inglewood companies had •had a good influence in the industry in •Taranaki.—lt would materially strengthen his company if they got a number 'of shares taken up in the Mokoia district; that the companies had just the Same risk of manufacture as Eltliam had; if farmers stuck to their own concent there was no reason why Eltliam should not pay. A committee was set up to jeonfer 'with the directors of the Eltham Company.—Star.

Those factories in South Taranaki who have sold their butter and 1 cheese outright this season have made the best bargain (writes a correspondent to the 'Xow Zealand Times). 1 am reckoning to date, of course. One never knows 'what the next three months will bring 'forth. Consignors are looking forward to the large linns who have bought rigging the market and making a price to suit themselves. As 11 y,d for •butter and (i'/id for cheese, f.0.b., net cash local banks, bave been paid, the English 'market will have to take a rise (particularly for cheese) to repay purchasers. A Home buyer who has operated 'heavily in Taranaki for his linn, writing •from the Old Country to a friend here, •says his linn, will lose C.'IOOO on cheese bought from one local factory alone. The question cheese versus butter is always a debatable one, and looking back on the past six years the cheese 'product scores easily from an £ s d ■point of view. One thing that strikes ■me is that butter has a more staple future thaa cheese, because the former tan be got up in so many different 'forms, and this Dominion's butter is igiaduallv liiuliu!: its way to the aristocrat's liibh. Willi cheese it's a case 'of the prosperity of the masses which •we have to look to. All we pray for 'here is that "prices keep as good as at .present. Even if thev conic down the Josa will not be as bad as those connected with other businesses would think: for ltld for butter-fat in two years will ;pay as well as Is to-day. because the dairy farming lias much room for improvement. At the present time scientific methods are little used.