The Waikato Argus GEORGE EDGECUMBE, Proprietor. SATURDAY, MAY 13, 1899.

Waikato Argus, Volume VI, Issue 434, 13 May 1899, Page 2

The Waikato Argus GEORGE EDGECUMBE, Proprietor. SATURDAY, MAY 13, 1899.

The manner of working the Dairy Industry in this district, now that Mr Spragg has finished his tour is practically settled for another year, and in tliG case of the suppliers who have availed themselves of Messrs Ambury and English's offer, for three years. Results clearly justify the contention that we have persistently urged that the suppliers were not receiving their fair quota of the yield from the industry. To the Union, in conjunction with Mr R. R. Hunt, the suppliers are indebted for their improved prospects. They brought Messrs Ambury and English into the field, who offered better terms than the suppliers hav« yet enjoyed either in the days of Mr Reynolds or since the Dairy Association took over the business. Mr Spragg on behalf of his Association contends that he is now offering better terms than Messrs Ambury and English.

There is every evidence that the increased prices will lead to a very large extension of the business—wo hear on all hands of suppliers who propose milking more cows, and of a considerable number of settlers who purpose entering into the business for the first time. The thanks of the settlers are certainly due to the executive of the union for the energy they have thrown into the business, also to Mr Hunt, who has rendered them such valuable services. It will be remembered that he had arranged to fiuance a Co-operative Association, and on that scheme falling through on account of the suppliers objecting to enter into a joint and several bond, he approached Messrs Ambury and English with a view of forming their business into a limited company to embrace the Waikato business. This idea also fell through owing to suppliers being generally unwilling to invest in what may be termed the commercial branch of the business. Messrs Arnbury and English thon offered to pay a given amount for butter fat and take all responsibility and cost of getting the produce to market. Only the Te Awamutu and Waihou suppliers have as yet availed themselves of the offer, and as Mr Spragg has promised what are practically the same terms as Messrs Ambury, the necessity for change has possibly passed away. The Union has done good work, in that it has broken down a monopoly, and as a consequence vastly improved the prospeots of suppliers. We trust that the Union will not disband, it is a fit body to consider and deal with matters bearing upon the industry, over the interests of which it is their function to watch.