SOUTH ISLAND DAIRY ASSOCIATION

Evening Star, Issue 17062, 5 June 1919, Page 9

SOUTH ISLAND DAIRY ASSOCIATION

'ANNUAL MEETING. The following further remits were considered at yesterday's meeting of the South Island Dairy Association after our report closed: MUTUAL INSURANCE ASSOCIATION. Mr Arnotfc moved the following remit by the Seaward Downs Factory:—" That in the interests of the associated factories the executive should favorably consider the formation of a mutual insurance association." The mover proceeded to set forth the advantages of the scheme as a measure of economy, and instanced the Farmers' Union Mutual Insurance Society as a highlv beneficial organisation. In his opinfon'there would be no difficulty in starting this fund, a* the factories were all in touch with each other already. Mr W. Anderson (Staveley) suggested that two other remits bearing on this matter—one from Clandeboye and one from Staveley—should be considered in conjunction with the Seaward Downs motion- , . Mr Arnott objected to this course. Mr J. Fowler (Kennington) said he thought one of the three motions on the order paner dealing with this matter should be* carried. Of course It was a fairly big order, but the present state of affairs demanded a remedy, as it most inequitable. _ *_ Mr Anderson said that the association, as at present constituted, had no power to undertake the scheme suggested by Seaward Downs. Further than that, great difficulty would be experienced in the matter of reinsurance. However, ho was strongly of opinion that the matter should be carefully gone into, as he believed a mutual insurance scheme would not only prove workable, but highly boneFurther discussion ensued, and, while it was generally agreed that there was an urgent necessity tor an improvement in the" present state of affairs, it was admitted that a great many difficulties stood in the way. Several of the speakers quoted legal opinions as to the inability of the association to undertake the scheme at tho present time. The chairman also made a statement, showing that the executive had considered the matter, and were fullv aware of the necessity for doing something, as well as of the difficulties in the way. m Mr C. P. Agar (Tai Tapu) moved as an amendment that a committee be set up to go into the whole matter, and report to the executive. Finally the amendment was and the following committee were appointed to consider the scheme and report-. Messrs J. Fisher and P. Arnott (Southland), W. J. Bolt and A. W. Amos (Otago), D. T. Todd and T. Anderson (Canterbury). MANAGING DIRECTOR. Mr Buckingham moved the following motion, standing in the name of the Drummond Factory :—" That the executive take into consideration the appointment of a managing director or a general manager for the association, and.if such proposal is approved, that the necessary steps be taken to make such alteration in the articles of association as are requisite. The mover referred to the growing activities of the association, and the need of a business manager. Their secretary was already overworked. Mr Fisher moved as an amendment — "That the executive take such steps to provide the secretary with such assistance as will free him from office details and leave him free to carry into effect the policy of the association." The amendment was carried, HERD TESTING. Mr Fisher moved on behalf of the Birchwood Dairy Company : —" (1) That it be a recommendation to dairy factories to promote the formation of herd-testing associations; (2) that the Government be urged to hire from selected centres pure bred bulls of proved milking strain merit to bona fide dairymen at reasonable rates; (3) that the association enter their protest against the holding of annual displenish- ' ing sales of Government herds as being inimical to the purpose of number 2 suggestion, and as catering only to the 'fancy' m stock-raising." The first motion was taken by itself.

Mr Cuddie, of the Dairy Division, spoke of phe success and value of herd-testing in tho North Island, and said that if a sufficient number of cows could be guaranteed in any southern district the Government would be prepared to send an officer to carry out the tests. The first clause was carried. The two remaining clauses were taken together. Mr Fisher explained that the object of these remits was to induce the Government to make high-class bulls as widely available as possible. At present there was a feeling that these bulls were restricted to the use of only those people who could afford to pay the high prices which they commanded. ■Some discussion followed, after which

Mr Parker (Brydone) moved as an amendment that the Government be re qupsted to offer 50 per cent, of its stud bulls in the Souoh. Island.

Mr Hay ward (Thornbury) seconded the amendment. The amendment was carried unanimous Iv.

On "the suggestion of Mr Hall (Edendale) it was decided to a 1 tor tho amend ment to read :—" That the A. and P.

Associations in the South Island be strongly urged to hold hull fairs in. a suitable month in each year, and that 50 Eer cent, of the Government stud bulls e distributed for sale at these fairs." In this form the amendment became the substantive motion, end was carried. SHIPPING FREIGHTS. Mr Grigs (Longbeach) moved on behalf of the Ashburton Dairy Company :—" The outlook in the near future for shipping freights on all farm produce is a serious menace to the prosperity of New Zealand, and it is therefore imperative that all dairy companies and meat export companies combine for common defence in ■support of a fair rate of freight, and that the executive move in this direction at once." Mr Saunders seconded the motion. Tho mover said that directly after tho war conditions had settled down he believed they would have to pay increased rates, and they muai stand together in this most important matter. He quoted Mr Chiozza Money ;k to what had happened in the shipping business at Home, where in tbe first two years of tho war the profits of tho shipping came to £300,000,000. This was before the Government took control. They must remember that the ships were of no value without the produce to be loaded into them. For instance, if they took but onesixteenth of a penny per lb of the total vaJue of the Dominion's produce, it would provide a large sum, and if they were able to hold up such a magnificent subsidy they would soon burst up a shipping combine. He would advise the association not to sign for any long forward contracts in the meantime. The motion was carried unanimously. CONTROL OF MARKETS. Mr Hall moved on behalf of the Edievale Dairy Company:—"Disposal of outputs of cheese: that this meeting of delegates are of opinion that the best way to secure full market price for cheese on the British market is to combine and ship through the association to one duly appointed agent at Home." Mr Walsh (Menzies Ferry) seconded the motion. Mr Agar moved as an amendment — " That a committee be set upto report to a special meeting of the association on the question of a co-operative London floor." He said the idea was that the combined factories in New Zealand should have their own sale rooms, and their own cool stores in London,' and be controlled by them till it was sold to the retailer. _ The North Island factories were moving in the same direction. Mr Grigg seconded the amendment. He believed this was the practice adopted by Denmark and Holland. The proposal, if adopted, would stop the irregularities in prices which sometimes occurred in London. Their butter and cheese had now obtained such a magnificent name in tho big markets that he thought the time was opportune to take some such action. Mr Hansen ssid it would cost an enormous amount of money to get such a footing as had been obtained by Denmark and Holland. They would require a large staff in London to carry on the work. He heartily supported the proposition, howover. "Mr Fisher said that he did not see how they were going to finance such a suggestion. A number of speakers stressed the point that it would not be poi-isiblo for one agent to deal with all le association's business. Mr Hall then withdrew his motion, and Mr A gar's amendment was carried unanimously.

The meeting adjourned until 9 o'clock this morning.