WORK OF DAIRY BOARD

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21510, 27 June 1935, Page 12

WORK OF DAIRY BOARD

# —■ — CHAIRMAN ADDRESSES CONFERENCE INTERNAL AND OVERSEAS MARKETS U'ItF.SS ASSOCIATTON TOLCCimi.J PALMERSTON NORTH, June 26. With several hundred delegates present from all parts of New Zealand, the annual conference of the National Dairy Association was opened to-day. Mr A, Horton, of Egmont, presided. The chairman reviewed the association's trading activities, saying that since the reconstruction four years ago it hid made rapid progress. The total volume of business had increased immensely, making Hit turnover £203,000 for the year. Messrs F. Parsons (Whenuakura), W. E. Hale (Turua), and P. T. Kean (Tauranga) were elecfed unopposed as directors for the Taranaki and Auckland wards. There were three nominations for the Wellington ward vacancy, Mr J. D. Brown (Ohnu) being re-elected. Control of Local Markets The work ahead of the newlyconstituted Dairy Board was the chief topic discussed. Mr A. J. Murdoch, chairman of the board, addressed the conference and .said the new work, included investigation of the control of local markets. Evidence was now being taken, and the board desired to evolve a scheme that would return the producer all he was entitled to. Ah to the export market, Mr Davis, the board's London manager, would return from London soon, and it might be necessary to discuss with him certain allocations of our produce. Mr Murdoch referred to relationship with Australia, and said the new board was in touch with the Commonwealth io a move to fix minimum prices, and deal with second-grade produce. As to suppliers leaving one factory for another, the Executive Commission of Agriculture had been approached, but its answer was that at the moment it was not prepared to recommend the Government to make any regulations. Mr Murdoch added that the matter had not been lost sight of. Zoning or amalgamation might be the solution of the difficulty, and he was prepared to sit as arbitrator where two companies desired amalgamation. No doubt the board would have to tackle the zoning problem; but there were instances where factories had ogreed on their territories.

Separate Pools Opposed A remit opposing separate pools for the North Island and the South Island in their local markets was carried. A. remit requesting the Dairy Board to take steps to prevent companies from holding produce in London for more than a reasonable time, as this nullified the policy of Ihe Dairy Board in spread in/* shipments to give continuity of supply at Homo, was approved. As to Ihe sale of cream, the association was asked to take steps to have the regulations amended so as to permit the sale of cream after pasteurisation direct from the factories. A remit advocating a direct vote for producers at Dairy Board elections was defeated by a substantial majority.