CHEESE INDUSTRY

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 142, 17 June 1937, Page 22

CHEESE INDUSTRY

ITS SPECIAL NEEDS

CONFERENCE DECISIONS

(Special to the "Evonino Post.")

PALMERSTON N., This Day,

"After 35 years with the industry I feel that the cheese business is a waning one," declared Mr. J. G. Brechin, of Pahialua, a well-known figure fn the dairy industry, when speaking at a conference of cheese company delegates in Palrnerstor. North. In this opinion Mr. W. Lin ton (Wairarapa)' concurred, both gentlemen stating that it would be a calamity if the industry was allowed to go out.

At the conference there were delegates from Taranaki, Hawke's Bay, Manawatu, Bush, and Wairarapa districts. They were called together to discuss the serious situation that faces cheese manufacturing factories. For some time it has been felt that owing to increased costs peculiar to cheese factories alone, the premium of ljd over butter promised by the Government would be largely absorbed by the extra costs, and that instead of getting lid, there would only be something like |d to distribute.

It was pointed out by speakers that the Marketing Board recognised that cheese companies really needed 2d extra to carry on. Cheese costs had increased alarmingly compared with butter costs, and the gap was likely to be larger. Many cheese factories would be compelled to close down on the present price as they could not compete w;th butter. After various aspects of the issue had been discussed the following motion was carried:— "That this meeting requests the Government to honour its promise to cheese companies for the past season by giving them a price for cheese to enable the average cheese company to pay out ljd per lb more thai, paid out by the average butter companies."

A resolution was also passed asking for the lowering of the grade of cheese necessary to secure the export premium offered iby the Government. It was pointed out that whereas once New Zealand cheese was a long way below foreign cheese on the Home market, of recent years the quality had so improved that the Dominion produce could command virtually the same price, and sometimes more. The quality was there, but despite that, very little cheese graded high enough to secure the premium It was contended that the standard of points could be lowered, and the motion suggested that the basic price should be for cheese grading 914-92. At 92J the 7d premium should apply and for 93, the Is 2d premium. There was a short discussion as to what the Government should do with the surplus in the Dairy Industries Account, but it was agreed to leave any recommendations to the National Dairy Association conference. ' The position of waxed cheese was also discussed in view of the fact that 2J per cent, was deducted for shrinkage whether the cheese was waxed or not It was contended that as waxing prevented shrinkage, those companies which waxed should not be deducted 2i per cent., but something less than that. The conference agreed that li per cent, would be a fair thing.