DAIRY SHIPMENTS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 3 November 1925, Page 7

DAIRY SHIPMENTS.

THE BOARD’S POLICY. POSITION OF NEW PLYMOUTH. , The policy of the Dairy Produce Control Board in regard to shipments is indicated in a- letter which- Mr W. ( Grounds, chairman of the board, has written to Mr J. S. Connett, of New Plymouth, as follows: Whatever is the matter with North Taranaki ? Someone seems to have conjured up a bogey and to have -got the whole community engaged in knocking it down. The wav the Dairy Board has been placed in the centre of the melee seems to suggest that the interests of the port have not been the sole inspiration for the display. As far as the Dairy Board is concerned, there has not been any justification ‘ for a moment’s contention. I have seen a number of newspaper reports and comments, in which I noted at least one pertinent remark by Mr Cruickshank — “If there is no likelihood of the port being cut out. why all this worry about it?” Yes, why, indeed? As you know, the aim of the Dairy Board' and all factories is to get away as speedily as possible the early season’s make, to take advantage of the prices which are usually good on the British market up till Christmas. Production is usually small in September and October; as a consequence fewer steamers are required. If these were engaged in visiting all ports for direct loading of these comparatively small quantities, valuable time would he lost in the despatch of the vessels, apart from the increased cost of collection. Experience has taught that even a week’s delay in the despatch of produce at this time of the year frequently means a great difference in the price to the producer. The shipping companies have arranged for the despatch of fortnightly time-table boats, which, it must be borne in mind, can, during the early months of the season, carry most of our dairy produce as it becomes available. We are informed that these time-table boats cannot call at New Plymouth; consequently, if prompt despatch is desired, concentration is inevitable. A definite choice has to be made. You can’t have your cake and eat it. The board’s shipping policy does not aim at cutting out New Plymoiith. We aim at shipping being so organised that each boat will call at fewer ports, and thus eliminate unnecessary expense and cut out undue delays. You will recognise that this involves organisation of inward cargoes 'also, and cannot be arranged in a few minutes. We have asked our London representative to take this matter up in Britain. With bigger cargoes of both meat a’nd dairy produce available in our midseason this should he possible without long intervals between the steamer calls.

Someone quoted the Taranaki production as the figures available for New Plymouth shipment. Is . South Taranaki assenting to this redirection P If so, the volume of produce should largely settle the question of frequent direct shipment.