FACTORY MANAGERS

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 24 January 1929, Page 6

FACTORY MANAGERS

ANNUAL CONFERENCE AT PATEA.

INTERESTING ADDRESSES TO DELEGATES. As usual, the annual conference, field by the Ncw Zealand Dairy Factory Managers’ Conference (Taranaki) was a day full of interest and information to all present. About forty attended from all parts of South Taranaki, Mr W. Young, president, being in the chair. The general arrangements were efficiently made by the honorary secretary, Mr G. Woods, of Ngaere. In the morning, at the grading sheds, Patea, a cordial welcome was given on behalf of the directors of the West Coast Refrigerating 'Company by the secretary, Mr A. 'H. S. Hodge. Mr W. Young, in acknowledging the welcome, said the refrigerating company always did everything possible to help the competitions along. Mr W. Grant, chief grader at the works gave a welcome to the managers. Mr Grant said there had 'been a great number of damaged crates arriving at the stores this year. Evidently a lot of the timber that had been supplied to factories was unsuitable, not being thick nor heavy enough. He had been informed that the works had bought more battens this season, to date, than in any other season. The firms were evidently giving light weight battens to the factoreis. Fully 90 per cent, of the cheese which had gone through the port of. Patea this season had been' waxed, and the wax was now thinner than previously, which was to be desired. The cheese coming in lately was too weak-bodied to be waxed,' and they were receiving far too many weak-bodied cheeses. They had not, as yet, received any standardised cheese, but expected some in a few days. He appealed to the managers to give careful attention to' this matter, and suggested that they should not get too near the 50 per cent, of fat in the dry matter, and not, on aii) r account, get below that figure. The members then inspected the dairy produce in the sheds, under the guidance of Mr W. Grant. Grading competitions were held and the winners were as below: — HOTTER. L. ,T. Taylor (Lowgarth) 96^ G. Meharry (Kakaramea) 96§ G. Thornbnrn (Whenuakura) .... 9G A. >S. Illingworth (Alton) 96 -S. J. Tidswell (Mells) 96 C. McQueen (Manutahi) 954CHEESE. S. J. Tidswell (Mells) 100 A. Tidswell (Melrose) 995) J. Hornby (Riverdale) 984 Eour scored 98 points each. ADDRESSES. Luncheon was -partaken of at Einlayson’s Hotel and then a series of addresses at the Town Hall followed. All were keenly followed and appreciated very thoroughly. Apologies were received from Messrs T. Parsons, 'G. 'O. -Morgan, T. C. Brash, Fergusson, R. W. Robertson, P. Neale, . -and the Dominion President. VALUE OF THE CONFERENCE. Mr George Finn, after expressing l thanks for -the invitaftion. and the welcome, stressed -the importance 1 of these conferences, and gave managers -the opportunity of drawing closer together to- talk over the problems and to- take' , part in the grading competitions. He-' ■ sa-i-d the interest to the Dominion of / 1 the industry was so- great that no- effort 1 1 should be spared to see that our cheiese could hold its -oiwm with the, mnnufae- j tares of all the competing countries. j

Mr Finn (briefly referred, to* the question of quality a'nd isaitL that Sir Tiioima's Clemente ’ criticism was a matbet for expert's to decide. No one must underrate this, because Sir Thomas was one of the most influential men in the business alnd thalt hei would not make such remarks unless they were’ justified. He made these remarks with the beist intention, and with the idea 1 of spurring on makers to try toi make something better. Actually no effort should he, spared l in endeavouring to overcome difficulties because everyone; was wrapped up in the future of the the industry. Mr Finn said he had been connect eld with the industry for 35 years and at that time no one could visualise whait it hala grown: to today. He well remembered the time; when the shipping otf 200 tons in one steamer was an event worth celebrating. Now there were shipments of 2000 tons and he saw no reason why iit should not grown to 4000 tons. Export® 1 could be doubled and 1 , indeed, trebled. It was possible to increase the herds to bring aiboiut this result. Co-ordination and harmony were necessary in all sections. He appreciated the honour of 'being associated with the Board of Advice, and ho would endeavour to keep in touch with factorials so as to be of assistance to all. The aim of the association was to advance the best interests of the daily industry, and he considered it a priivlege to be associated with the dairy factory managers. He knew well What an apprenticeship they went through to reach the position they occupied’, and wished them all success in their am dfavours to maintain and improve the industry. Addresses were also given iby Mr W. E. GwiHian, assistant director of the Daily Division, Mr A. McKenzie, dairy 'instructor, and Mr W. G. K. Wright, editor of the "N.Z. Dairyman, ’ ’ At the conclusion hearty votes of thanks were accorded 1 the West Coast Refrigerating Company atncL the Borough 'Council for use of halls, and the Hawera and Kaupokonui Dairy Companies and "N.Z. Dairyman J; for donations of the prizes.

A vote of tham/ks to the chairman and secretary concluded a useful conference.