THE CONFERENCE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1159, 21 June 1911, Page 10

THE CONFERENCE.

:. NATIONAL DAIRY ASSOCIATION. I SOME "LIA 7 E" TOPICS. The eighth annual meeting of the ■ National Dairy Association of New Zea- ' land, Xtd., opened yesterday at Palmerston North, in the A. and P. conference, rooni. Mr. A. M'Farlano presided. About eighty members attended. The annual report and the balancesheet have already appeared. The Chairman's Address. The chairman stated that the turnover for the year had been the largest for many years, vis., ,£183,021. The net profit was ,£'3o7, and, generally, this must . be considered a satisfactory position. The butter market .had, in a-sense, been a disappointment, as the high prices ex- , pected at the beginning of the sonson had not been experienced. Many reasons had 1 been advanced lor this, one being that it was due to their Home agents, and . another that their opponents on tho Homo, market had been spending larger - sums in advertising. It was also said that the British public were just awaken- . ing to the fact that they were eating butter which was some eight or ten , weeks old. There might be something in the suggestion that it was due to tlio overrun since the new combined butterivorker and churn had come into use, making a moister butter than the public , had been accustomed to. Australia, also, was exporting very largely now. This 1 'was the result of a splendid season, which had enabled her export to rise . 1-1,280 tons more than in former years. It , showed what the Commonwealth could do in "fat" years. Two years ago Australia's export had been about 15,000 tons; whereas last year it was 43,000 tons. Since the opening of the London season . there had been a steady drop in price. A number of complaints had been re- ; ceived that the New Zealand butter had not opened up as well as it should, but it was usual for such complaints to bo mado when the prices were down. However, there might be something in it, .■ after all. He was glad, in view of all . those complaints, that the New Zealand . Government hat; decided to send an expert to represent tho country on the , Homo markets. Ho recalled the interview of the representatives of the association with tho Minister to achieve that 1 end. In regard to cheese, our reputation on tho Homo market had been considerably , enhanced this year Our products compared very favourably, with tho Cana- - dinn. He'believed that if reciprocity between Canada and tho United States ■ came about the latter country would , absorb a lot of the Canadian cheese, and therefore tho Home market would im- • prove for New Zealand and Australia. Tho cheese prospects, therefore, appeared brighter than ever. The association's roll had increased by 22 members during the year. This was evidence of prosperity. An office had been opened in Aucklauili and it was hoped ' all the factories in that province would join them. Another satisfactory arrange- ■ lueut was that with the Wellington Meat " Export Company for the freezing of butter at ■Wellington. As a result they were ' now paying only s!d. per box instead of Cd. as previously, and that chargo included shipping and wharfage dues, which really brought the actual freezing charge down to I'd., per box. In. this connection tho chairman believed that some, land available near the. ' harbour at Wellington could be secured . for' freezing works if the association de- ' cidnd to go in for -such a venture. The question of marine insurance had been taken up, and a total saving had resulted to members of some .fc'OO. Dealing with indenting operations the ■ chairman said I hat to ask tho association, with such a large membership, ami small capital, to indent lor the members ' without some larger scheme of finance, was scarcely fair to the association. The ' assistance the factories gave in that direction last year amounted to J)GI)O, whilst. ; the association had indented manures, etc., to the value of .£OOOO. The matter • had been arranged by a system of pro- • missory notes from the various factories, " and he, personally, had nnco had to give a promissory note for £1000. There wns " no risk involved, but the system was not satisfactory. In conclusion, Mr. M'Farlane dwelt upon the necessity for close' eo-optralion amongst all those connected with the industry. Ho moved the adoption of the . report. Tho motion was seconded by Mr. Adlnm . (Oakura). Better Finance Suggested. ' Mr. Welch (Featherstou) asked if the oxecutivo of Uio association had any scheme to submit, to. improve the financial working "f the association. It seemt ed, in indenting, they were working on ! thi! balances due to the various factories. Many of the factories had been kept out i of their surplus*** for some time, under this system. His factory, for instance, had experienced this. Many of the f:\c- , lories were not perhaps shipping Io the Old Country, but were deriving benefit -, from other factories' surpluses under the present scheme. Up hoped the executive ; would be able Ic submit some scheme- for the better financing of the association. ; The chairman remarked that Ilipre. had been no surpluses as far as bill lor was ;. concerned last year. The executive had i- under consideration a scheme under which . the companies, should put in promissory 1 BfiUi of JSIO for every. 100 tons of butter

and--£5 for «veryl!)l) lous of cheese. The lai'jo.-t. I'lU'lorii'v to-day wore submitting prjhiksary nutes fur. .CM ami The other companies from .till io .Kill. The. r-chenit , wlik'h the executive sussestptl would iais-.\ the iinnin-i; of the a-;on;i!imi to .tIIWO. Mr. llnljburd (Thames Valley) pointed out. that the was originally formed to ship and■ a-sist thu sale of the facloriW output, but if they weir- noiv goiiis in feu- tin. , indent business, it would be iipct'.-sary. probably,- in the future, (o form the association into, a limited liability company. . ' * Tho chaii'rium soid that their pi-osmit system of promis.-ory notes was v.ol eo>ling tlte members anything, and was merely a mean's of giving security to the bankers. 116 would not* care to'sny what would be necessary in the future! Marine Insurance. In reply to ((uestions the chairman said that the marine insurance- rate charged by.the association was Us. Cd.. as against* a current charge of 17s. lid. This included coastal insurance. ■ ' ■' ■ Mr. lfarkne.»< emphasised the chairman's reply by stating that the association's policy covered all risks. That was on" reason why niPinbr-rs should support the iissociation. Ho. recalled that the insurance companies had endeavoured, to "sriuclch" the association the moment that the} had low'prr-d tho rales. A nifpfinsr had 1.-eon held in New Zealand with that object. He thought that the association deserved every credit for what, it had done in this direction. (Applause.) All risks were covered by the rate stated. (Applause.) A Useful Venture. The chairman, replying to a questioner, said that one of the benefits of indenting —say, manure—was that it brought down the price very considerably to farmers. Manure had been lower in price from £1 per ton to 10s. per ton. Mr. Collis (Kairnnga) said the best, plan would be to furm the. association into a joint stock company. " The suggestion met with no support. The report and balance-sheet were then adopted. Bonuses. A bonus of £50 was passed to (he.president aud ,£2O to- each of the directors. Directors Elected. Messrs. A. Morton (Egmont A 7 illago), H. D. Forsyth (EllhnniJ,- and '.I* B. Murdock (representing Mr. Jull's factories), T. Bassett (Mangawhare); and A. C. Hubbnrd (Paeroa) wero elected to vacancies-on the directorate. Mr. C. D. Jlorpeth (Wellington) was reappointed auditor at a fee of twenty-five guineas. Home Separation. Mr. A. C. Hubbard, on behalf of the Thames Valley Dairy Company, moved: "That it bo a recommendation to the Government that tho Dairy Industry Act be amended, in tbe direction of having all butte. , which is made from homeseparator cream branded, graded, exported, and sold as such." Mr.' Hubbard said tuat his company was not antagonistic to home separation, but it was poisibk' that they might be in the future. At present they were prepared to go on as they were. They were turning out a very high grado'buttcr, but it was only reasonable to suppose that Such an articlo was prejudiced on the. Homo market.by butter that was inferior, though classed the same. There should be a different intention, such as proposed ir. the resolution, between the home-separator and tho factory-separated, butter. In spilt, of all that could be done, there were still complaints ol "tishiness," etc., in the butter, and it was only in accordance with evidence to supposc'tliat this was due to home separation. ■ He contended that though we were sending an expert Home to discover this cause-of "fishiiioss," and to assist the exporters; it •would bo better to go thoroughly into the conditions of affairs at- this end. : In conversation with the Dairy''Commissioner he had learned* that out of 14 complaints against butter ten had been sheeted home to butter made from home separator cream, aud only four to that made ou the factory system. The Governor's remarks that morning should be taken to heart, viz., that the most scientific principles should be adopted to keep the article up to the highest standard. . Mr. Murdock (Tarnnaki) seconded the motion pro forma. ; Mr. T. Cassett (Northern AVairoa) moved that the matter be left over until next annual meeting. If the resolution were carried it would mean that the words "'pure creamery butter" would 'be taken off the butter boxes, and "made from homo separation" put in their place. It would mean the squelching out of mauy small factories. He did not agree with all that had been said as to the deleterious effects of home separation. He recalled that the "butter for expert" at the present show,, securing 94 points, was butter made from homeseparated cream. He also quoted other companies obtaining prizes at the present show, which made their butter from home-separated cream. He agreed that it would be an excellent thing to have the complaints of "fishiness" ' sheeted home, and, for that reason, he had moved his amendment, as it would give twelve months to enable that to be done. Mr. F. ,T. Nathan , (Palmerston North) seconded the amendment. This was the first occasion, he said, on which ho.had heard it suggested that "fishiness" was due to the use of home-separated cream. His company (tho Defiance Company) nnd the Cheltenham and Bnnnythorpo Companies each dealt in home-separated cream. If the motion were carried, it would seriously hamper the industry. It would mean that people so situated, who could not supply factories with milk regularly, would be seriously hn.ntlicapped, as also would the factories which they now supplied with cream. Mr. A. Morton (Taranaki) supported the amendment for similar reasons to (hose already advanced.. Mr. Marx (Mangatoki) also supported the amendment. The Mover's Reply. In replying, Mr. Hubbard declined to accept the amendment. He jaid that what he had proposed must surely come to pass in the future. It was impossible for those turning out the very best butter, to find it profitable unless there was a differentiation between the classes. The Dairy Commissioner (Mr. D. Cud(Ke) said that the question of homef.cparated butter had given the Department great concern. Hβ admitted that good work could bo done with honieH'parnted cream, but, if the system wero to be judged on its poorest result?, it would bo condemned, because it was becoming a serious menace to the industry. The proposal regarding. the different branding of-th? boxes, however, should be very carefully considered before being adopted. AVith certain dairy precautions and daily delivery, the home reparation principle might do very well, but unfortunately that was not. always tho cas-e. Here in New Zealand they had found that "fishiness" in butter was discovered most amongst tho butter from homeicparatod cream. He suggested that there should bo established a special, grade in export butler, to bo termed "first grade pxtra." (Applause.) Thi.s grade would, in time, become to be known by the London agenls ns of the very best nunlily. He would like to get mi expros.-iou of opinion on the matter. At present I here was too wide a margin bptwebii the 88 poinls grade nnd the highest obtainable. The nniPiulmonl was carried on the voices, with a few disseutients. Mr. Cuddto's Suggestion Discussed. Supporting Mr. (,'uildir's .suggestion, Hip chairman called for expressions of ofinion on n new grade, iu export butter. He ."aid Hint at present Iho lipsl butters graded at Si wore hr.-t class, but that grndpil at KS was also first class. .Mr. Ciiddii! susgeslcd that they should start at 91, and have some distinguishing brand, such as "choice" or "extra quality." Very soon, ho believed. (IrImttiT graded SS would rise over the 01 Mr.' Bell (TamakO proposed:-"Thnt the meeting express ils approval at the Dairy Commissioner's suggestion, and Hint ihc- mutter regarding points, etc.. be left to the Dairy Commissioner and staff to decide." Tho mntlrr was debated at lenglli. Tho majority •>!' the speakers supported i?ie. resolution, Mr. Pearscn, nf Pearson nnd I'uttpr (export merchants), spoke in favour of the proposal from the merchant-;' point nf view, because it would enable a liisl motion to bi> innde in Ihe case of very good butter nnd that which just sorapwl into the lirst grade. There was a tendency on Iho part of nu;rcli.inU to select from the factories turning out ihc l»st (iroilucl. . A questioner askvd if clieeje alio would be included,

The chairman created iaiißliter by fay. p : irg that cliPi'fe. was classed "superfine" ■* ■ throughout. ' ' • ii Mr. H. Dingle '(Stratford) said that a ';. \ sujierliiu' butter was being turned out r . li.it a thoKSnsul'-'-milts, from Stratford, 1 which, on arrival at Home, Was found to ■■ bo '••fishy." -' The Dtiiry Commissioner.remarked that. ' i.on: and then, c-'a i r's of."fisliinejs'.'.didgel I 1 through in spite of every . precaution. , . ! ' His Dppartmi'iit had informal ion which J* • lir proposed,' hirer, io give to the meeting, • I hat. would enable -"jishinpss" in butter ' v t to he reduced—he hoped, to a vanishing il - [.uiut-. -(Applause.) :*•- . . ' . \ Mr. Mai'-x; though■' sympathetic, advo- ' - i;*,to;l a longer consideration of the sug- ' t gestion before it was given effect to. An amendment that the grade of the t new class bo fiO points and over was lost, e A further amc-i'tlmei'it that flip limit be 4 1 92 points and over was ''carried on tho ' I voice?. • ..■'*■ J ; > Questions Raised. t ' Qiie.-tiaus were then raised as to the ' valfdiiy t>f tho piysont vole. '. 8 ■The-Dairy Commissioner said that he t ' had scarcely expected * a definite motion. fc Up thought" that ill points would be Mitli- t " cipnt to go on with for. a tihip, anil then, t 3 perhaps, they could-'rise to !G points. 1 A speaker asked if it would affect the ! l: South Island. , ' \ Tlib Dairy Comuii.ssioner replied that 1 jc would, but the motion was merely an a r expression of opinion. ' The former speaker said that it would J ' be only fair to send the remit on. to th» '. ' South Island 16 "obtain an expression of opinion. ■'■■'■ 2 It was then decided H 'Midrav all t ii.mendments, and mere' ' •. the prin- \ ciple that what Mr. suggested " J was desirable. This wa:- . ,:io. I A vote of thanks was passed to the. re- J , [ tiring directors. • . ' j A Matter of Finance, l Mr. K. Dingle (Stratford) proposed:— l 1 "That tho association be asked to sign fi promissory notes on a basis of .£lO for 4 1 every 100 fons of butter, and £n for every 100 tons of. chee.-p.V Ho, pointed out the n advantages which this would'bring in re- ' gard to the financial arrangements of j the association. . .- ■ ' ' . In reply to* a question,. Hip chairman 1, said that the proposal was-to enable tliem to indent requisites .for farmers. _ The s > money Was not required for tho ordinary • running of. the association, such as send- x ■ ing Homo the butter. t The motion was carried. r ' -.*. '. ■ i : The Minister Attends, . The Hon. 'T. Mackenzie (Minister for [, Agriculture) was present during the afternoon sitting. Tho chairman gave, the Minister:a warm welcome, and in- -\ ! vited him to. sneak on. a subsequent occa- 1 : siou. Mr. Mackenzie will say. a few words, ; this morning. . .