The Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 1912. AN IMPORTANT INDUSTRY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10688, 7 August 1912, Page 4

The Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 1912. AN IMPORTANT INDUSTRY.

It will give settlers some idea of the importance of the dairy industry and the value closer settlement is to the towns if they are given some insight -into the finances of dairy companies. It is now the off-season, during Avhicli" period the annual accounts are made up and presented to the shareholders, and these concerns being co-operative, milk suppliers and shareholders are synonymous. '.I iie balance-sheets of the Ta rata hi and Belvedere companies have just been published, and together they shoiv a gross turnover of close on £30,000. Practically the Avhole output vas cheese that was shipped to the British markets, all of it being graded first-class and top prices being obtained at Home. The only imported materials used in the manufacture Avas rennet, colouring acid, cloth, and nails, the total cost of Avhich amounted to £275. FircAA-ood cases, labour and milk, also coming under the cost of manufacture. Avere all of local production. Shipping charges, freight, and insurance amount to £2542, repairs maintenance cost £430, office charges, firo insurance and interest £3lO, leaving, after paying a dividend on paid up capital at the rate of £6 per cent., the sum of £24,014 to be divided amongst milk suppliers, being at the rate of 15$ pence per lb of butter, in round figures. There are practically 100 farmers supplying nnilk to these factories and on this basis their average yearly income from milk would be about £240 per annum. This comparatively small sum is required for and is probably expended on the family needs, and the adjoining toAvnship would reap the benefit. For reasons

such as those- given tradespeople (v,id owners of property in towns should advocate closer settlement and the further encouragement of the dairy industry. Dairy fanners, however, must have the freehold, even if subject to ir.oitgr.ge. "" they possess he freehold they can aiter years .if ;;i lfdcnial pay off the debt on the property and have it clear for old age and the time when tire family grows up. With a leasehold property there is net the same incentive to saving, and what is left after the rent is paid generally finds an outlet, and the farmer seldom gets into a hotter position than that of a tenant.