DRIED MILK INDUSTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 July 1918, Page 3

DRIED MILK INDUSTRY.

MEETING AT CARIUNCITON ROAD.

A meeting of settlers, including several ladies, was held in the Carrington Road School on Monday night, for tho purpose of considering the advisability of making further investigations into the question of the dried milk industry. There was an attendance of about 60 settlers, Mr H. Spence was voted to the chair and in referring to the object of tho meeting, said the dried milk question had come to the fore lately, and it had been thought that some move might bo made locally in connection with its establishment. He asked Mr Binnie, who ihad been one of the promoters of the meeting, to explain what was in the mind of those who had called the meeting. Mr A. C. Binnie said the dairy industry of Taranaki was one of the most important in the province. The first co-operative dairy was established at Stratford in ISBG, and Okato followed, but both were failures. The introduction of separating methods put the in. dustry on a good footing. For many years North Taranaki had occupied the first place in the Dominion in dairying, and was the most up-to-date district in the country. At the present time the industry had been languishing somewhat, until the province was now only occupying about fourth or fifth place in the Dominion. The leaders of the industry in the Waikato district had assured local dairymen that there were unlimited prospects for the industry. Those responsible for convening the meeting had been in touch with a certain proprietory company, and believed that there were good prospects for the industry in the district. Some had estimated that as much as 3s 6d per lb would be paid out for butter-fat for dried milk. It ihad been rumored that the Mangorei suppliers intended approaching the Frankley Company re* garding the establishment of a curd station, and that had induced the promoters to call the meeting in order to prevent unnecessary expense. It had been estimated that a factory could be erected for £15,000, to deal with the milk from 2000 cows. What was hoped was that a central factory would be erected in New Plymouth, capable of dealing with the product of say, 10000 cows from the whole of the surrounding district. This was a good district for the industry, and if it could be done in the Waikato, with their mud roads, it could be done also in Taranaki. The milk could be coliicted and carted to the factory by motor tractor. A question was asked as to how the money for the proposed new factory was to be raised, and what would be the po ltion of the present companies. The speaker was of opinion that the estimate of the cost of establishing a factory was below what it would really

Mr H. J. Okey, M.P., said that if a factory was built at New Plymouth, he supposed it would be necessary, in order to raise capital for the new company, to take over the liabilities of the present factories. They would all have to be scrapped. That was a serious aspect which he hoped had not been lost Sig'ilt of.

Those responsible for calling the meeting stated that that aspect had been considered, and it was estimated that by deducting an amount from the price paid for butter-fat the liability of the present companies could be met, and a good return still be made to sunpliers, v

Mr Okey further referred to the demand for dried milk, which appeared to have arisen during the war on account of the large number of men under arms, who were using it instead of milk. It was no use putting the dried milk into tins unless they were sure of a demand for it. Everyone knew that the milk problem was a difficult one in the cities, and if the dried milk was going to solve the problem for the towns, then the prospects for the industry would bo all right; but they wanted to be quite sure about that. Mr Hill stated that the idea was to put the dried milk on the city market. Men the proper spraying machinery was used it was understood that no sediment was left when the powder was dissolved.

In reply a further question Mr Hill said the idea was to have the factory erected at Mbturoa, and to collect from a district extending over an 18mile radius.

Mr Jackson (Mangorei) moved that the directors of the Bell Block, Omata and Frankley companies be recommended to convene a combined meeting in New Plymouth to fully discuss the matter.

The motion was seconded by Mr Todd.

An amendment was moved that a representative from each of the factories within the area from which it is proposed to draw supplies, be invited to form a committee to make the neces. sary arrangements for a public meeting, to be addressed by representatives of the industry in the Waikato. The amendment was seconded and carried.

Votes of thanks were passed to the chairman, the conveners of the meeting and to ladies who dispensed supper.