The Waikato Argus GEORGE EDGECUMBE, Proprietor. SATURDAY, MARCH 18, 1899.

Waikato Argus, Volume VI, Issue 411, 18 March 1899, Page 2

The Waikato Argus GEORGE EDGECUMBE, Proprietor. SATURDAY, MARCH 18, 1899.

Me Si'BAGG has been interviewed by a representative of our Auckland morning contemporary, and, of course, has put his cose in the most favourable light. He has done his best to demonstrate that he and those who are associated with him are the only people who can carry on the Dairy Industry successfully in the Waikato. He implies that cooperation, unless guided by him, is nearly certain to end in failure. He informs the milk suppliers that the principal object of his visit to London was to arrange that the " larger partner " should share with him, and his real partners, in the advantage 5

which accrue from his management in the colony and the business capaeity and commercial facilities he commands in London. He then goes on to tell us what he means, we will quote his words. '• It means better prices for next year, if this season's trade provides for better profits, the advantage of a season being fully given to suppliers in tho succeeding season, practically the suppliers to receive all that is made by the business after reasonable provision is made for interest upon capital and allowance for depreciation of plant, and of course the fair wage." of supervision." This statement suggests several questions, which had a clear headed supplier been Mr Spragg's interviewer would no doubt have been put. We will ask them : It is a fact, we believe, that you have admitted that the season of 1898 was a very good one indeed. This being so, having consulted your partners and arrived at the above liberal conclusion, why on your return to New Zealand did you refuse to carry out the arrangement at once by giving an increased price for 1899 1 How does the fact that you pay a lower price to suppliers than is paid in other parts of New Zealand coincide with your professions of liberality and your claim that you and your partners enjoy exceptional advantages 1 Are you of opinion that the suppliers in the Waikato are of lower mental calibre than those in other parts of the colony, and, if so, is this the only reason why you maintain that co-operation in Waikato would prove a failure 1 It is not reasonable that suppliers should judge as to your managment of the business by comparing the prices paid by you and those secured by co-operation in other places? What do you consider a reasonable interest on capital and a fair charge for management 1 Our columns are open to Mr Spragg to reply to the above questions, or make any remarks he thinks fit. For the sake of clearness, however, we trust that he will be as little discursive as possible. In a multitude of counsellors there is said to be wisdom, and the saying is, perhaps, still more trite that in a multitude of words there is confusion.