DAIRY CONFERENCE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 158, 19 June 1936, Page 4

DAIRY CONFERENCE

Session Concluded This Morning FURTHER REMITS The' National Dairy Conference was concluded at Hastings this .morning. The session dealt with remits concerning a uniform pay-out and a compensating price for produce, and addresses were given by Dr, 11. R. White bend (reported elsewhere), on the werlr of the Dairy Research Institute, and by Colonel S-. J. E. Closey, M.C., V.D., of Levin. The latter dealt with the question of a compensating price and the conference accepted the suggestion of the speaker to adopt the principle cia bodied in a remit agreeing that it was an important point.

It was decided that the next conference at Hamilton. The congratulations of the conference were extended to the president, Air A. Morton, on the splendid service he hud given to the dairy farmers of New Zealand during the 25 years ho had occupied his present position. ENTERPRISING GRADERS. “That, in view of the possibility of the adoption of a system of quality premiums lor dairy produce, the Government bo aslied to appoint supervising graders, with ail up-to-uate knowledge ot lipme markets.“ This was brought forward by the Morrinsville Co-operative Dairy Co., Ltd. Mr. J. C. Leeson, tho mover, said that tho desirability of exporting only tho highest and uniform quality that could be achieved had long been recognised; Although the state was m over the industry, tho finest quality only should be produced. The aim should still be to export that quality which tho customers 111 huglanu required. In future it would be according to the graders’ points that suppliers would be paid instead of according to too market, as in the past. Loose grading, he eontende, induced loose manufacturing. Complaints had been made that New Zealand butter did not spread well, but that had'been overcome Seconding the remit, Mr. West contended that the grading in New Zealand should be on the lines of requirements in Great Britain. The following speaker is confident that the Government would take tho matter into consideration in its own interests. Mr. L. Roberts pointed out that the Minister was seized with the importance of ascertaining what the consu mars in England required and would instruct the farmers in New Zealand accordingly, so that the desired standards of quality could be maintained. On being put the remit was tost. UNIFORM PAY-OUT. “That the conference discuss tho question ot a uniform advance payment to suppliers throughout the Dominion during the first year ot guaranteed prices for dairy produce by Government purchase.’’ This remit was moved on behalf of the Kaitieke Co-operative Dairy Co., Ltd. Air. Stanton, Kaitieke, in moving the remit, submitted that it was in the best intciests of the suppliers and tho companies, and his company suggested that olio penny be retained from tho price paid by the Government and paid as a bonus during the winter months. By this means the finances of dairy companies would be assisted, while it would give suppliers a return during the lean period oi tho season.

Mr. Haibutt. Cambridge, said that all concerned were still in ignorance regarding guaranteed prices. It was essential that there should be a payout during the winter period in the way ot bonuses, if directors oi companies were unable to pay out a bonus in the winter they would readily become most unpopular with many of their suppliers. Air. S. W. Smith, Bay of Islands, considered that the question of a payout as a bonus was purely a domestic matter for tho individual companies. It his opinion trouble would arise lor the directors of companies if they were unable to pay out a bonus of two pence per pound. The directors were aware of the needs of their respective districts and anything of an arbitrary nature would be unacceptable, causing dissatisfaction. Air. A. J. Sinclair, Te Awamutu, in opposing the remit on the grounds that it was purely a domestic matter for dairy companies, said that it was generally desired that a winter bonus should be paid. It would not be practical for companies to pay out the full amount paid by the Government until lactorics knew what their full operating costs would be. it was essential that some amount should be set aside to meet contingent expenses in tho factory. Hu was confident that the companies that Mould do tho best would bo those ulio had the highest amount to pay out as u inter bonuses. Air. Connor. Manuwera, was of the opinion that the time had arrived when there should be more co-operation among dairy companies in their respective districts. Such co-operation would enable a uniform pay-out price to be made. Individual actions by companies would disturb the shareholders where lower pay-outs were made, and this difficulty would be overcome by a uniform pay-out being adopted Another delegate was of tho opinion that very lew companies would be financially able to pay-out as advanced payment an amount anything like that which would be paid by the Government. Alter some further discussion the remit was withdrawn m favour of the following amendment moved by Mr. Sinclair .—"That it lie a recoin inundation Irom the conleience that the dairy suppliers confer with each other in their respective districts with the object ot determining a uniform advance payment and a uniform amount to bo retained to supplement suppliers during tho winter months.’’ The amendment was carried without dissent. A COMPENSATING PRICE. "That the only equitable basis of payment for primary produce is to pay to producers a compensatory price Io cover the difference between the price level in the country in which his goods are marketed as compared with Lie price level in the country in which bis goods are produced.” This remit was fro mthe Cambridge Co-operative Dairy Co., Ltd. Air AV. Harbutt, Cambridge, formally moved tire remit, following which C.,duncl S. .1. Closey gave an address on the general problem conf routing farm >6

due to the wide gap between costs and returns, The motion was seconded by Air Tossland, of Pihama. Mr A. J. (Sinclair said that though the conference might agree with tke proposal in theory, they might perhaps see practical difficulties. The only means of putting it into operation appeared to be by inflation or by an impossibly high exchange. “If you insist on evolving technique,” answered Colonel Closoy, “then you will be defeated.” The first neccs sity was to mobilise the farmers. The Whole virtue of the scheme was the narrowness of its objective. The army must be built up first, and then the tactics could be fully discussed afterwards. The industry should con centrate on setting forth its rights. There were plenty of technicians who woud show the industry how the scheme should be put into effect. Mr Leeson said he could not accept Colonel Ciosey’s statement that it d d not matter how the scheme was going to be put into operation. He could not, as a practical farmer, support the scheme. Mr Delatour suggested that the remit should be deferred for consideration at a future conference. He for one, and probably the conference as a whole, had not been able to get a sufficient grasp of the proposals to feel justified in voting on them. “You say you want to mobilise the farmers,” said the speaker. “Well, get behind your Farmers’ Union, and give it your support.” Mr J. G. Brochin said ho understojd that all Colonel Ciosey was asking was support for a principle. The motion was then put to the vote, and was carried with only three or four dissentient votes.