CORRESPONDENCE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 255, 7 March 1911, Page 7

CORRESPONDENCE

WAKE UP, TARANAKI! To tile Editor. Sir, —In connection with a former letter published in January last, in which I pointed out the importance of the farmers enlarging on the present co-op. system in respect to dairy factories establishing a central butter-making works at the port, I would like to state that in conversation with a "number of farmers recently one who has been a director of a big dairy company since its inception remarked that tihe proposal was a good one and was capable of being put into operation; that something of the sort must come and come quickly, and admitted that tue amount of the saving to the producer could not be forecasted—it opened up such a lot. Another reek oned the idea was 50 years before tile time. It is relative to that remark that I crave space to try and enlighten that gentleman and others of like mind that those of his opinion will find that dairy farmers of other parts are awakening to the necessity of solid combination instead of the present haphazard style of co-operation; I might add that the idea expressed (that old conservative idea) of waiting on time and its changes has been and is the curse of the farmer. It was the same cry that arose when the freezing works wefe first mooted—a certain few entlhusiasts showed the way, the majority came later; and no one will deny the benefit. It seems to be a failing in Taranaki that any proposal out of the common for the advancement of the place and people is looked at with afright by those who will benefit, but who must, to reap the benefit, put their little bit of energy into flic "shove." If there isn't a "pot" to be made individually at the start anything that will tend to benefit the immediate future and its succeeding generations can go "hang," and anyone who suggests such things tend to the benefit of the whole, present' and future, can preach, and preach in vain! Yes; it is admitted that such amalgamation must and will come. If it is necessary in the course of time, why not the present? The lesson shown in an article in a recent issue of the "News" regarding the action of the Home butter merchants resenting the National Dairy Association's scheme for marketing t'he butter is surely sufficient reason for combining in a tig way this end. The action of the London Dock authorities in promising to set aside £4.000,000 for cold storage is a big factor towards the establishing of a central butter works and an alteration in the present method of selling produce. The doelc authorities want guaranteed support on account of the vested interests they will have to fight. Aye, and the vested interests the dairy farmer will have to fight if he doesn't wake up will be such a Colossus that the loss in fighting him will be tos great. There is no need for such a struggle if they take the means of growth from the giant, and the only wav I to do so is to reorganise the dairy industry from ground floor to attic, and 1 maintain that the establishment of central butter works is the main objective to such. Considering the importance of such works, tending to put more money into the pockets of..the producers, and { t.he assistance that tihe State has given, is giving, and. no doubt, will give, -to encourage production, it is not' right ! tliat a whole army of middlemen have to be provided for at the expense of the producer, who, sroodness knows, gets little enough for the work he does. Another [ of the crowd, poor man, remarked, "Look what it would mean to New Plymouth!" and couldn't favor the idea on that account. Well, well! if that's not standing in one's own light, what is it? Again, von see. Mr. Editor, the old parochial spirit will crop up, to the detriment of the whole, and though it is. nerhnps. not right to sav if. T sif- it is a good job for the countrv that the disciples of such antinunted argument are nejiring their allotted span; that tliev must, of a eonsenucnce. have some followers is a pity, but the fewness in number is a counter-balance. With the present methods. the present carelessness and apathy, a big. new competitor at our market would cause such a "sitting-up" that would be of serious moment to the Dominion, and the dairy farmer ought to rjcognise the importance of getting a firm footing (he will not get it. under present conditions), and that he has to sell his article cheaper than he is now doing if he wishes to get rid of it, and lie has to economise in many ways, the principal of which is the cost of production. Wouldn't the establishment of central works be the very thing? Come, i now, you dairy factory directors of 10 to 50 years' service, get at it and let the rank and file know! Through the kindness of Mr. .T. Kenworthy, of Patea, who forwarded some lmck numbers of the "Irish Homestead," the organ of the Irish Organisation Society, I obtain information of the work of that society in furthering the interest of co-operation in which Sir Horace Plunket is devoting much energy. The Association during 1909 took in 42 new creameries; it hns since its inception had a trade turnover of £12,500,000; it is n combination of creameries, agricultural societies, credit societies and industries, and it is now considering a scheme of combination of creameries "to manipulate butter by the highest technical processes known and to sell it under a special brand." The Irish article goes to the grocer who retails it. Is there any reason why oura should not be tile same? Sir 11. Plunket, ill a letter of apology for being unable to attend a general meeting of the Society, amongst other tilings, wrote as follows:—'• . . . Political remedies will no doubt continue to be required for many purposes. Fiscal changes may affect, though not with any certainty for the better, the prices of agricultural produce. Legislation may provide cheaper and more efficient transportation and even improve credit facilities for our farmers. But if all these benefits were to be conferred upon our farmers frhey would not lessen the need for a compete rc-oiganisatiou of the farmers' industry." If the Irish farmer sees the necessity for combining for the production of a' unilorm article and also for "sale under one | brand." how much more important is it I for the Taranaki men? I fear. Mr. Editor, 1 am trespassing, but would like ill conclusion to quote Sir Horace further. lie says: "We know that both for the advancement of our industry and for its protection in its relations' with other interests, we must obey the universal law of modern business and combine." In the face of how our produce it treated by butter merchants—how does that statement fit?—l am, etc., JOE B. SIMPSON. Durham Road.