DAIRY COMPANIES

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 1189, 11 December 1924, Page 5

DAIRY COMPANIES

WEST COAST ASSOCIATION. MEETING OF~EXECUTIVE. A meeting of tlie executive of tlie Manawalu and West Coast Dairy Companies Association was held this morning, the president (Air S. A. Broadbclt, of Levin), presiding over an attendance comprising Messrs T. Ranford, 11. E. Paeey and J. Boyce.

The chairman reported that a deal of success hud been met with in the association’s endeavours to have dairy companies co-operate in the matter of refusing to accept cream •which has been rejected by other factories, lie read a letter from one factory stating that- it had rejected cream on account of its inferior quality, and expressed (lie opinion tout success in ensuring companies’ co-opera-tion in this matter seemed assured. CORRESPONDENCE.

From the Dairy Division of the Department of Agriculture, stating that it was forwarding for the association’s information copies of its monthly summary of gradings, and other particulars.—-Deceived. From the Duiry Division, advising that the suited butter graded for November. 1924, amounted to 9694 tons, and unsalted to 659 tons, a total of 10.353 tons, compared with 8265 tons salted and 839 tons unsalted, a total of 9104 tons, for November of last year, an increuse of 13.7 per cent. For the four months 'ended November, 1924 the respective quantities were 24,655 and 1322 tons, compared with 20.274 and 1353 tons for the corresponding period last season, an increase of 20.2 per cent. Cheese graded for November, 1924, compised, white 6146 ions, coloured 3409 toils, compared with 7075 tons white and 4076 toils coloured for November. 1923, a decrease of 14.3 per cent. The quantities for tlie four months ending November, 1924. were, white 12,678 tons, coloured 7211 tons, compared with 13,591 tons white and 8333 tons coloured for the corresponding period of last season, a decrease oi 9.7 per cent. Converting these figures into buUer-fai-equivalent, there was an increase of 10.6 per cent in butter-fat production for the four months, as compared with the corresponding 1923-24 period. Stocks held in the various grueling ports at November 30. 1924, were: Butter 4727 tons, cheese 4496 tons.—Received, the chairman remarking that the prospects for cheese seemed quite all right. From the National Dairy Association of New Zealand, Ltd., in reply to the association's letter in connection with the allocation of refrigerated space at various grading ports and stating that it endeavoured to ensure that each port had produce allocated in such a manner that stores were cleared of the produce up to the same date. However, when allocations were made they were usually four to six weeks ahead of the loading dates of steamers, and in many cases -the produce to -be shipped in steamers hud then not actually been .manufactured. As everything was based upon estimates these could not always be exact. Then, again, there was often much difficulty with the grading jjort of Patea where, owing to adverse weather, ships were sometimes unable to get produce to Wellington in time for louding. It was endeavoured to place every factory on an equal basis. — Received, tho chairman commenting thatthe association apparently desired to be perfectly fair in the matter.

CONTROL BOARD CRITICISED. • The Dairy Produce Control Board wrote advising that it agreed with tho association that the regulation of shipments was a very important question and stating that it was doing its utmost to improve mutters in this connection. The chairman: That is very non-commit-tal. The questions which we asked have not been fully answered. Mr Boyce: I fear we have fallen in again. 1 am losing faith in the board. It was decided that the chairman ask the board for a fuller reply to its questions. A letter was received from the Glen Ol'oua Co-operative Dairy Coy., Ltd., stating that, at a meeting of its board of directors, it had been decided to call attention at the next meeting of the association to tho extravagance of the Dairy Control Board in tlie matter of tlie recent telegrams received by secretaries of dairy companies concerning insurance. AJr Boyce said that recently the hoard had unnecessarily spent a lot of money. Jt had sent out a ‘prepared telegram of 225 words, and one dairy company secretary whom he knew had received three copies because ho was secretary of throe c-oin-f tallies. Another secretary, ho believed, lad received live copies, and in any case u letter would have done just as well.

Mr Pncey said that iliero was an arrangement whereby such a telegram could be repeated to addresses, at a low rate. The chairman thought that, in this case, the telegram, which dealt with insurance matters, was necessary. "I consider that it was a inatier of business, though I recognise that the hoard should he careful in its expenditure,” he commented. ■ Mr Paeev said that this was not a case for criticism for the hoard had had to act quickly and surely to jml a business matter on a sound legal basis. "At any rate I am pleased to see the association taking all interest in the operations of the board,” said the chairman, “but we must not take action and utter protests on minor matters.” Mr Pacey said that it was more important to see that they got courteous replies to questions pul to the hoard, for the answer to the previous letter was unsatisfactory.

The letter under discussion was received. REQUEST FROM TAIIIAPE. The Taihape (.'o-operativo Dairy Company, Ltd., wrote stating that, in the matter of die association’s letter regarding co-operating in refusing to accept hud cream, it was thought iliat proprietary tohipafiies in (lie Taihape district should sign up. It was also asked whether the association had taken up the mailer of the drivers' award, us that would act prejudicially to companies owing to the unusual hours worked. Mr Pacey: ‘‘They are. reiterating a fallacious objection about the cream question.”

Tho chairman said that an interview on that matter was preferable to correspondence. Regarding tile drivers’, award, ho said that as yet the association had had no advice in the matter. It was decided to reply that the drivers’ award did liot allcct this district, but the Wanganui area. CONFERENCE ON CREAM GRADING.

The Manawatu branch of the Dairy Factory Managers’ Association . wrote stating that it hud been decided to hold a conference of dairy farmers and factory managers on December 16 with the object of drawing the attention of fanners lo the need lor' better milk and cream, and how to secure same, in view of the coming advance in the minimum points of firstgrade butter and cheese. Members of the Dairy Division would be in attendance. It was decided to reply staling that ihe association was fully in accord with the objects of the conference, realising as it did the need for better quality produce. INFORM AT 10 N WANT KD. It was suggested by Mr Pacey that the association ask the National Dairy Association to publish the amount of dairy produce carried ,by each ship and the date of clearance. lie thought- that this body could better supply the information than the control board.

Mr Boyce: There are too many organisations now-In connection with the dairying industry. In the course of resultant discussion Mr Pacey- said: No one wants to see the National Dairy Association eliminated, though the present organisation should bo re-constituted. Mr Pacey’s suggestion about the publication of shipping information was supported by Mr „Boyce and approved.