NATIONAL DAIRY ASSOCIATION

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 26 June 1924, Page 8

NATIONAL DAIRY ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL MEETING. (From Our Special Reporter). Al the annual, ineetiug-of the National Dairy Association the election of directors resulted Taranaki.—Nominations : Messrs Morton. Brown and Hanford. Mr Morton was re-elected. Auckland.—Nominations: Messrs F. Bassett and Kingston. Mr Bassett was re-elected. Wellington.—-Mr .T- CL Brechin was re-eleeted unopposed. Messrs Morton, Bassett and Brechin briefly returned thanks, assuring the members that they would do everything in their power to retain the confidence reposed in them by their re-election. Mr Hanford congratulated Mr Morton on his re-election, and also thanked those factories who voted so solidly for him. The figures for Taranaki were: Morton 98, Hanford 70 and Brown j 30. Auditor: Mr C.. D. Morpeth was reappointed at a. fee of fifty guineas. Mr Brasli paid a tribute to the work done by Mr Morpeth, and said ho gave a great deal of time io the work. REMITS.

From Levin — “That in the opinion of this meeting the time has arrived when the Dairy Division should take necessary steps to prevent cream or milk rejected on quality at one factory being accepted by any oilier company.” Air Broadbelt moved the remit, stating that the question of inferior cream or miik was a difficult one, suppliers being able in some districts to take milk to another company. It was going to be a difficult period,, and therefore it was essential to take a firm stand, hie considered it necessary that no company be allowed to take cream rejected hy another. Be quoted an instance of .bad cream being rejected by his company and taken by a neighbouring factory. He believed it was high time that drastic action should be taken. Mr Meuli (New Zealand Dairy Farmers’ Union) seconded, and said that it was a .vital question, some companies taking up giadlv cream rejected 'by others. , ' Mr Broadbelif said that at a meeting

in Wellington province . all the local, factories agreed amongst themselves to take action through the .Dairy Division. ilr Johnson (Kaitieke) objected to applying to the (government, and suggested that it be clone through the Association. Mr Bond (Bainesse) said there was more difficulty in connection with cheese than nutter. It would be necessary to have all factories connected with the Association. Mr F. II an fold asked if it would be rejected through uncleanliness or would it be for .flavours caused by feed. He quoted some cases of unhygienic conditions which had come under his notice. Mr J. Marx (Mangatoki) agreed with the principle, but doubted whether it could be carried into effect or applied. His company had had such experience, but there would be endless difficulty in a cheese district. Mr Singleton said he appreciated the good motive of the Levin Company, for they were always interested in having good milk and cream. It was a troublesome question, and had been for many years. An officer of the Division would have the right to deal only with milk unfit for human consumption, and where it was below standard lie had authority to order such a man to leave all milk at the dairy, and no company could take such milk unless the embargo was raised. If the manager were to condemn it he would have to

be an inspector, but the question was one dealing with milk not fit to make good cheese or butter. He appreciated the motive, but doubted if they could get authority to deal with it. The most satisfactory method was to have co-operation betwetMi companies and proprietary concerns. Mr Hull (Maungaturoto) 'said that in North Auckland an agreement w-a-s made to bring the process into being. He considered it could be clone only by moral suasionMr Stirling (Kaipara) said that in his district an agreement had been accepted bv which no company would accept any cream rejected hy any other company, and it had worked admirably. ' Mr Donaldson (North Auckland) said the difficulty, would cure itself in time. " Mr - Cooper suggested putting no col our ip g matter, so as to identify the rejected samples. Mr Broadbelt said it was certain all agreed on the necessity for a reform. He said he would be satisfied with a decision hy the factory managers. He added that feed flavours could be obviated, but. that coming front dirty machines could never be eliminated. He would like to see a mutual agreement brought about amongst themselves. The remit was carried. From the Cardiff Co-operative Dairy Co-:

’ That the Agricultural Department be urged to establish at an early date a. bacteriological and research laboratory specially adapted to the needs of the dairv industry. Mr. H. T. Belcher (Cardiff) -said that bis company had previously brought up the matter as introduced by him at a Stratford conference, where it was considered and discussed by that meeting and carried unanimously. He advocated strongly the establishment of the laboratory/ Mr. Bond seconded, and urged the department to move the Wellington laboratory to Palmerston North/ He acknowledged the good work done- in this direction by the department. The chairman said the matter had been submitted to the Premier, arid the deputation had been assured something would be done. The remit was carried unanimously. NOTICE OF MOTION.

From Executive. —That article 3 of the Articles of Association be altered by striking out the scale of annual subscriptions therein set out and inserting in lieu thereof the following: From 100 tons of butter, £1 Is per annum ; from 10.1 tons of butter to 200 tons. £2 2s per annum ; over 200 tons of butter, £3 3s per annum. That 23a. be altered by striking out, in the paragraph relating to the voting power of members, all the words and figures after the words ‘‘following scale” and inserting in lieu thereof the following:—For an annual subscription of £1 Is, 1 vote ; for an annual subscription of £2 2s, 2 votes; for an annual subscription of i'3 3s. 3 votes. That article 3 be further altered by inserting after the words “but who shall not be manufacturers shall be £5,” the following words: “But such persons shall be only entitled to one vote.’’

The chairman said that they proposed to alter the basis of subscription by the companies. The sum of £*BBo6 subscriptions had been collected by the association. He believed it would be recognised that a subscription was still necessary, and that it must be differential :so as to. carry a variation in voting power. The last clause i-e nonmanufacturers was intended to cover agents and to limit their voting power. Mr. We eke 1 in (Whangarei) seconded.

Mr. Williams said that the- original objects and aims of the association were going out of exist'enee, and that it was becoming a purely commercial concern. He considered they should have gone further and made the association merely a limited liability company. Mr. Hingstoi! supported the remit, and asked whether the amount of subscription would be enough. Mr. Ewington traced the history of the association, and said that it might be necessary to have a. reconstruction. Mr. Brechin said lie was instructed by his factories to’ support the remit. He added that the executive gave the matter serious thought, and suggested that there was never greater need, of the association. He added that although the subscriptions had been collected la&t year, not a penny had been touched, and it was all capitalised for their benefit, while goods as required were supplied and at the best rates possible. The association paid directors for two years out of profits, dicl their shipping for nothing, wrote down goods as far as could be, wrote off adequate depreciation, paid adequate salaries, and finished up with £525 I profit, to 1 be capitalised if they wished. He considered the remit -needed no argument, hut that the time was not ripe for reconstruction. He knew the remit was in their interests and that of the farmers of the whole district. Mr. Bond was favourable, but only asked for a fair deal.

The motion was carried unanimously