DAIRY ASSOCIATION

Hokitika Guardian, 9 June 1930, Page 8

DAIRY ASSOCIATION

SOUTH ISLAND CONFERENCE.

DUNEDIN, June 5

The twenty-first annual meeting of the South Island Dairy Association was held to-day. The president (Mr IT. J. Middleton) occupied the chair and there was a large attendance of members.

The chairman said he hoped they would agree with him when he stated that their balance-sheet was a very satisfactory one. It disclosed a very sound position in the Association’s affairs, and lie did not know of any rocks or dangers ahead. He thought they would enjoy their present stability, provided they continued to receive the support and confidence of their members, and it would be tlie endeavour of the executive to do this. Dairy producers had not' had a satisfactory year with th c > exception of those companies which were fortunate enough or wise enough to make f.o.b. sales. As the season advanced values slumped heavily and persistently till they were little better than pre-war prices. So also did the value of all other primary products fall, notably wool, meat, hides, wheat, etc., to an even greater degree ‘ than dairy produce, yet it was never suggested that the methods of selling these products were seriously at fault. For the last ten yeai;s the dairy producers had been told that their marketing methods were all wrong and many schemes had been propounded. Some had been tried out, some had died stillborn., and still they came speaking of marketing methods.

The fall in values he said, was due to the economic conditions of the whole world and the vast amount ol unemployment everywhere. Much criticism had Sheen levelled regarding the quality of New Zealand cheese. It was inconceivable that they made their show cheese from milk taken indiscriminately; having absolute control of all milk coming over the stage directors could reasonably demand of them a first-class product. Directors should stand solidly behind their managers, back them up in every way possible, and see their billets were not in any way endangered because they were doing their duty. If any of the directors were amongst the offenders there should he uo discrimination in their favour. The logical sequence was, of course, differential payment ; failing that it would be like » man testing his cows for fat and taking no steps to improve his herd by culling and breeding. A small percentage of bad milk ■ would certainly pollute a whole vat. He understood a few had already .adopted the practice he had suggested, but not all of them were making differential payments, which seemed to him very fntiie. It would probably not be long before others would be compelled to get into line.

Mr Middleton said they could consider the question of setting up a research laboratory at this end of the Dominion'. It had been decided at the conference last year that a committee consisting of Professor, Itiddet, Mr W. M. Singleton, and Dr. Marsden should bring up a report on the matter and thus assist the Association in coming to a decision. The report had not been compiled, but Professor Riddet and Mr Singleton had met him the previous day, and their ideas had been rather discouraging regarding the proposal. Factories would have to guarantee the money required and it remained with them to say whether they were prepared to do this.

The proposal to establish a laboratory was deferred for two years. After listening to an address by Mr W. M. Singleton regarding the quality of cheese, it was decided to urge the appointment of farm dairy instructors.