“OVERLAPPING”

Grey River Argus, 28 May 1935, Page 4

“OVERLAPPING”

IN DAIRY INDUSTRY. WHAT BOARD PROPOSES. Although the original dairy board was empowered only to deal with ex port problems, the reconstituted board has also very wide powers in connection with difficulties that arise in New Zea and. For years the industry has been faced with overlapping in cream collection, largely due to the redundancy of factories built to serve districts originally isolated, but now no longer so, owing to improvements in road transport. The Dairy Board at its last meeting discussed this matter very fully, and the concensus of opinion of board members was that, rather than invoke their compulsory powers under the Act, it would be preferable for the factories in each district to get together and endeavour to arrange a solution of local difficulties. The problem broadly comes down to two main issues —that of the zoning of cream factory supplies, or the amalgamation of factories, where there are too many factories in a district. Under the very wide powers given in the recent Act, the dairy board can obtain regulations to compulsorily bring about zoning or amalgamation of factories, but it will be very much better for all concerned if matters can be arranged amicably in the different districts. Amongst the points made by the board members at its last meeting, was the fact that some of the small cheese factories might be forced to close down, because, now that milk grading is in force, suppliers find it easier to secure finest grade for cream than for milk. Another point mentioned was that many county councils who have lightly metalled back-block roads are finding that these are being seriously damaged through heavy lorry traffic, due to competition for cream supply. In the meantime the board is amassing information regarding the existent evils, and it hopes that where these exist, factories will get together and put forward a solution.