CORRESPONDENCE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 4982, 22 March 1895, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

THE DAIItY INDUSTRY. [to the editor.] Sin— Your very interesting article' in the Wnitvmpu Times, under the heading of "ATarpaulin Muster," states the present position of the dairy industry very fairly, both as regards factories and suppliers, irrespective of whether it is a cooperative or a proprietory concern; and in support of your argument that the farmers must bo content to accept less per gallon for their milk, than the prices hitherto ruling if the industry is to bo continued, I simply wish to draw attention to the following additional fact, namely: Next season, the grading of our export butter, factory made or dairy made, is sure to bo carried out on still stricter lines than has been the case this year, when in consideration of its being the first season tlio new Act lias been in operation, some leniency (very pardonable) hasno doubt been shown, and dairy produce, butter or cheese has in consequence not been so strictly classified as might have been necessary. The result of stricter I classification, will, in my opinion, cause tlio following state of things: thatmanytactorieswhicli have hitherto been exporting if not the whole at least part of their output, will altogether ceasetoexport Thisappliesespccially to smaller factories which possess no refrigerating machinery, and cannot perhaps afford the outlay of capital for same. Those factories will therefore endeavour to sell all their produce locally or within the colony, and will gradually and within a very reasonable date stop the consumption of farmers butter' entirely. Farmers' butter we note already lias not obtained a good price this season in tho local market, 5d or Gd per lb, being the average quotation, Now, if that is the price already, it is a certainty it will fall still lowerwhen factory butler enters into keener competition, The position is therefore briefly this: Would it not pay the farmers better to support the factories even at a reduced price per gallon of milk, rather than make butter at liomef Secondly; Is there any other product by wnich the farmer can seo any prospect of making more per acre in the nearf uture ? Ido not think so, with the present prices ruling for all classes of farm produce, The Danes have recognised this long ago, and came to the factories assistance as soon as competition set in, by accepting less for their milk, With us here it has too often been the caso of, 110 matter if the factories sink,no long as tlio farmers swim, Thanking you in anticipation for trespassing on -your valuable space. I am, etc., W, Holbtep, Pahiataa Dairy Company,-