THE BUTTER AND CHEESE TRUST.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 247, 11 July 1908, Page 3

THE BUTTER AND CHEESE TRUST.

WAIRARAPA FACTORIES MEET. . WILL ADOPT THE SCHEME. An important meeting of factory delegates was held in Carterton yesterday-afternoon (says our W'airarapa correspondent) to consider a proposal rrom the National Dairy Association that that institution bo constituted a body to represent tho various dairy companies on the London market and control their oversea sales. This proposal is one of the outcomes of the recent meeting held in Palmerston North to hear the views of Victorian dairy delegates on tho subject. At the meeting yesterday the following cheese factories were represented:—J'eatherston, Greytown, Daleiield, l'arkvale, Taratahi, Belvedere, Mauriceville, Nireaha, Mangaramarama, Tawaba, and all -co-operative factories of Ahiaruhe and Rayner. With the exception of Mauriceville, all the foregoing are cheese factories. Mr. W. Fisher, a member of the National Dairy Association, presided, and explained that the object of tho proposal was that the producer should receivo the'full-benefit of his industry.

The circular letter from Mr. Mackie, the London representative of the contributing associations, was read, "along with another from Mr. Osborne, secretary to the Victorian Dairy Association. Both writers urged the advisability of such an amalgamation of dairy interests as a profitable investment, and in support of his contention Mr. Osborne stated that last year one London merchant alone had made £60,000 clear profit, which should have gone into the pockets of the farmers. ■ Mr. Fisher stated that there would be no difference to, the present inodo of disposing ■of produce locally,, but it would be distinctly pointed out that no factory .would be permitted to sell'to New Zealand merchants

for.-consignment purposes oversea. No mention was made during the discussion that there was to be direct co-operation with -Australasian, dairy companies, but it was understood that the various agents would probably form ■an advisory, board or committee and arrange prices in something like tho present system adopted by the Danish Hoard, which sits in London, and meets every morning. The proposal was supported by all the delegates with the oxception of Mr. W. Fuge, chairman of- directors 'of' the Featherston Dairy Company, who said that while, sympathising with the scheme his company was not prepared'to desert tho institution which had stood by it for the past seven years, and treated it with every'_consideration. Mr. A. Gallon, chairman of directors of the Dalefiold Company, stated that some firms bad acted as agents for his company for the past eleven years, and his company was not dissatisfied with the treatment experienced; but it was felt outside of that altogether that the present move was most proper in the interests, of producers as .a whole. It was pointed out that' the action of the Featherston Company might result in its representative practically controlling the London market, especially if he 'decided to undersell; but the;_ meeting eventually decided upon the following resolution :— ,

Proposed by .Mr. A. Knutson, and seconded by Mr. G. Stevens— ' " That in. tho opinion of this meeting it' is desirable to co-operate'for the better . marketing of our produce, and for this ' purpose to consign all produce to London : to the National Dairy Association." • Mr. W. Fuge . was the only dissentient voter. The operation of the resolution is to come into effect immediately, and' will be in force, so far ,as Wairarapa factories are concorned, with the first shipment of produco in October next..