DAIRY INDUSTRY

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 101, 2 May 1933, Page 8

DAIRY INDUSTRY

INITIAL PROBLEMS

AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND

CONFERENCE RESULTS

Tlio Dairy Board released for publication today a report dealing with the recent negotiations betwoon three representatives of the board—rMe&srs. Dynes Fulton, \V. Grounds, and T. C. Brash (secretary)—and rop/rescntatives of tho Australian Board. < The report sets out in detail tho negotiations which took place on tho question of the restriction of exports, tho result of which was the issuing of a joint statement expressing opposition to restriction. The report states that representations wore made to thu Australian Board that tho New Zealand Board's considered opinion was that the regulation of shipment from New Zealand was undoubtedly having steadying effect on tho British market for New Zealand .dairy produce, and at the same time provided for a continuity of supply, permitting the retailer to sell the Now Zealand article all the year round. The following figures.were submitted relating to shipments of butter from. New Zea- ■ land:—

DIFFICULTIES OF REGULATION. The Australian representatives submitted that the varying seasons of production throughout the different States not only make it difficult to undertake, regulation of shipment, but actually gave a reasonable regulation of shipment, in proof of which they gave particulars of shipment a.i follows: — - SEASON 1931-32. Shipments of Butter from the Commonwealth.

In the discussion it was shown that whereas Queensland's heavy shipments were made late in^ the teason,'Victoria shipped early, having already practically ceased exports'for tho present season* i thus assisting in more regular shipment. ■ Tho members of tho Australian Dairy Board expressed keen interest in the mothod of financing delayed shipments, and in tho New Zealand Board's shipping work. Nothing of tho same nature was done in Australia. The Australian Board undertook to give careful consideration to regulation ef shipment, but were not .hopeful of it being undertaken. The 1 magnitude of the local requirements and their complexities made such a move difficult. THE PATERSON PLAN. N The New Zealand representatives attended ' a conference representative of all the Australian States, called to consider the difficulties of the local market. .Thb rpport states that difficulties appear to bo arising in connection with the Patcrson Plan, due to the keenness of dairy ' companies to. fecure a greater share of local sale's, thus making for lower prices. Further, tho ever-increasing export makes tho question of equalisation of prices store difficult. The Paterson Plan is not backed by any legislative authority, and there appears to ".bo, distinct • deiirc that this should be secured. The following resolutions were carried:— (1) That this conference is of opinion that the'price of butter , consumed within the Commonwealth should be determined on the basis ti Australian economic conditions —in other words, that an Australian price should obtain regardless of variations due^ to economic or other causes in Britain or elsewhere. (2) That conference recognises such ian objective cannot bo achioved under present conditions which because of 1 surplus production of necessity encourages the exploitation of the local market to • a point which reduces the local market price to world's parity; conference therefore is 1 of opinion that to permit of tho achievement of its objective tho incentive to exploit tho local market must be removed, and that this is only possible by ensuring that sales of 'butter whether effected locally or overseas will' secure th© same return, to factories. (3) That conference is convinced that its objective can be secured only by legislative means, and to that end a sub-committee be appointed and emposvered to draw up proposals for submission to the Commonwealth and State Governments, in doing'bo the committee to have regard to the dried fruit or any other legislation on the Statute Books of the Commonwealth' or States having a bearing on the matter. The committee mentioned in the third resolution was duly set up. > Its main objective is to secure legislative authority for some proposal whereby prices of butter oa ■ the local market should be raised to a highor level, which may include the legalisation of tho Pateison Plan. It is understood that legislative authority for the Paterson Plan may be difficult to secure, but it is hoped that some arrangement may be made to provide for a price in kcoping with Australian economic conditions. , ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN. The question of advertising was discussed, and the following resolution was passed:—"That with the view of increasing the consumption of butter in Great Britain and thus endeavouring to bring about an improvement in prices on the world's markets, this conference of tho Australian. Dairy Produce Export Board. and representatives of tho New Zealand Dairy Produco! Board recommend that an extcnesivo propaganda and advertising campaign be started in tho United Kingdom, pointing out tho high value as a health food of butter compared, with all other edible fats."

BUTTEK. 1932-33 SEASON. Percentages Percentages oftotnl ship- of total ex- , meats wlilcU ports which arc graded ' are shipped each m6ntli. each month. August 3.4, G.5 .September- ...... 7.0' , 4 2 October 12.0 1 7 November ........ 15.0 ■ 12.4 December ......... ISO S.ii January VZ,[} , !>.$ February .;...•• 10.4: 0.2 March ,...". 10,4 10.0 - April 6.8 «.>t. 10.O Jlliy 4.G est. 7,2 ,7uno , 1.8 est. : 6.4 July 1.3 Cit. .6.0 100 100

Tons. Pcrccntase. July 3,083 3.1 August 4,538 ' 5.0 September 5,480 - 0.1 October 10,111 11.1 November ' '., 9,778 ' lO'.S December .; '. 11,330 12.6. January 15,022 16.H February «,(I18 7.G Jliirch 5,785 0.1 April ............ 6,530 7.2 May 6.344 7.0 Juno 5,569 6.2, " Total 90,503 100