The Waikato Argus GEORGE EDGECUMBE, Proprietor. TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1899.

Waikato Argus, Volume VI, Issue 383, 17 January 1899, Page 2

The Waikato Argus GEORGE EDGECUMBE, Proprietor. TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1899.

In another column we print the particulars of an interview with Mr Geo. Finn, the managing director of the Wellington Fresh Food and Ice Company (Limited). He is a practical man of large experience, and in consequence his opinions on the dairy industry, to which the interview was mainly devoted, should command attention.

Speaking from experience, he thinks the most satisfactory manner of conducting the butter industry is by the use by groups of suppliers of Sharpie's Farm Cream Separators. The cost of these machines he gives as from £22 to £39. These are supplied at those prices on the timepayment system. As will be seeu by the interview, this system does away with the necessity for creameries. The milk is separated at the most central farm included in each group, and the cream carted to the nearest railway station for carriage to the butter factory. This is a system of co-operation on a small scale, the only liability the co-operators need run is to the extent of the oost of the separator used j ointly. Distance from the butter factory, he points out, is of little consequence, some of the cream manipulated by his company is carried by rail in some cases distances of 100 to 120 miles. It is unnecessary for us to repeat the details given elsewhere. It is well, however, that we should call attention to the prices paid by his company which were : October to March, 7Jd per lb butter-fat; April and May, 8d per lb; June, July and August, 9d per lb. The company pays cartage and railway freight. Mr Finn in this connection points out that it is unnecessary tb.it this carting shall bo done daily, As regards his own company, in warm weather the cream is carted four days a week, in autumn three days, and in winter twice a week. He says the difference in the ages of the cream makes no difference. The machine, he says, requires no attention. A man has simply to pass the milk into it and the machine does the rest.

Speaking from experience, he says that there should be no difficulty in getting rid of the butter. Wo commend Mr Finn's suggestion to the careful consideration of the milk suppliers. It appears to us that the system he proposes is feasible and economical.