CONFERENCE OF DAIRYMEN

Feilding Star, Volume I, Issue 266, 15 May 1907, Page 4

CONFERENCE OF DAIRYMEN

SOME IMPORTANT PROPOSALS. Some twenty delegates to the Na- j tional Dairy Association of New Zealand, Ltd , met in conference yesterday at the committee room of the Manawatu A. and P. Association, to consider the following important matters:— (l) The establishment of a Butter Box and Cheese Case Factory for the Wellington and Hawke's Bay provincial districts; (2) The question of renewing or otherwise the present contract for freezing with the Wellington Me.it Export Company. Tl* contract now in force expires on September Ist, 1907; (3) To consider the storage of cheese in Wellington awaiting shipment. The following factories were represented : — Ballance, Belvedere, Pars Vale, Rongotea, Otaki, Manukau, Norsewood, Glen Oroua, N. Z. Dairy Union, Morrisville, Hawke's Bay Dairy Company, Dale-field. The notice convening the meeting was read by Mr J. Harkness, secretary to the National Dairy Association, who explained that it was only proposed that the gathering should be a preliminary one, and that, after full discussion, another should be held in Palmerston during the Winter Show week. Mr McFarlane was elected chairman, and the first question -put to the meeting was as to whether the Press representatives should be allowed to remain. This was decided in the affirmative, and the business proceeded. Mr Harkness addressed the meeting at the request of the chairman. Dealing with the first suggestion, he said that the proposal was really the result of action taken by certain factories in the direction of instituting a butter box factory in a central position. It had been felt that the combined companies should take hold of such an impoitant matter. In this connection, Mr Harkness quoted particulars of the venture at Eltham which was really a co-operative concern. Details of a confidential nature respecting the working of the factory were given, but Mr Harkness specially requested that these should not be published. He urged that just now the butter box business was in the hands of a large number of people who could not afford to stock a sufficient quantity of timber to guarantee a box of the best quality. If the proposal were adopted, it would mean i r at the company to be formed would be in a position to stock very large quantities of timber, so that it would be properly seasoned and the ve S' "2 s * for tne Purpose. Mr Griffiths (Otaki) thought that it was a step in the right direction to rave brought the matter under the notice of delegates. He would liko to hear a preliminary discussion on the point so that something could be laid before the larger meeting during Winter Show week. Mr Harkness suggested the appointment of a small committee to make full inquiries on the proposal and to report at the subsequent meetm *L as « to meth °ds of financing, «tc. Mr Garnet (Taihape) stated that, as white pine timber was becominc scarcer and more valuable every year he considered that some attention might be given to the new proposal to make the boxes out of papiermache. l A u T J le i.i. chairman said ne understood that there were still large areas of white pme bush further up the line, and thought that the proposed coml pany might well secure a block. Mr Whittaker (Rongotea) exhibited a plaster cast of Mr Sutton's patent butter box, and some time was spent in discussing its merits. The following committee was set up to carry out the suggestions made by Mr Harkness:— Messrs Garner, Perry, Bendall, Lang, Griffiths and Harkness. The question of renewing or otherwise the present freezing contract was also introduced by Mr Harkness. He referred to the charges made to factories and detailed efforts he had put forth in the direction of getting the storage rates reduced. Mr Harkness said that the question at issue was just as to whether the present contract should be renewed or whether the producers should have their own freezing works in Wellington. He himself strongly favoured the latter course being adopted. Incidental reference was made to the possibility of special night trains being run to carry produce in to Wellington quickly and cheaply. He also thought that the associated factories should further make provision for a cool store in Wellington for cheese, and said that this would be absolutely necessary. Dealing with the question of site, he said that he had ascertained that a section right close to the wharf could be obtained wheieon the freezing works could be erected, but the trouble was that it would not be available for two years. Confidential details were quoted in respect to the operation of freezing works elsewhere, such having been obtained by Mr Harkness to facilitate the carrying out of the proposal. Mr Beattie, after referring to the fact that this proposition was before the dairy factories some time ago, gave it as his opinion that it was very desirable that the producers should have their own works. The National Dairy Association should be urged to make all inquiries to enabe them to carry the proposal out, and in the meantime another contract for a short term should be made with the Wellington Meat Export Company. He moved in the direction indicated. Mr O'Hara (Norsewood) seconded the motion, which, after brief discussion, was carried. Mr Parsons (Dairy Union) moved that the amended terms offered by the Meat Export Company be accepted for three years. Mr Griffiths (Otaki) seconded, the motion being carried. The chairman remarked that it would go before the Association as a recommendation. — Standard.