DAIRY MANAGERS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 131, 4 May 1934, Page 12

DAIRY MANAGERS

SOCIAL EVENING HELD. RESEARCH WORK EXTOLLED. Factory managers and assistants from all parts of New Zealand attending the lecture week at Massey College met socially at a very enjoyable smoke concert held in the Broadway Lounge, last evening. There was a large attendance. Mr R. \V. Foss, of Hukanui, Wairarapa (president of the Busli-Mana-watu Managers’ Association), presided. among those present being Dr. E. Marsden (secretary of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research), Mr T. C. Brash (secretary of the Dairy Board), Messrs J. A. Nash, M.P., A. Morton (representing the Massey Agricultural College Council), C. G. C. Dernier (chairman of directors of the Cheltenham Dairy Company, and a member of the New Zealand Dairy Produce Board), and members of the staffs of the New Zealand Dairy Research Institue and Massey College. An apology for unavoidable absence was received from the Mayor (Mr A. E. Mansford). Following the honouring of the loyal toast, that of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research was proposed by the chairman. The factory managers were unanimous in their opinion that not on any possible account would they have missed the review of •‘dairy research activities they had had, he declared. The information had been extremely helpful and enlightening, much having been learned. The lectures were very interesting, even if difficult at times to assimilate.

l3r. Marsden, replying, said his department was really created as a central organisation of the scientific services of the Government, and was a co-ordination of scientific activities of industry. The whole object was to have a more concentrated attack on particular problems, and spend, by cooperation, as widely as possible the limited finance available. The department was blamed for the weather and meteorological observations; it watched the development of dairy research, wheat research, and many correlated activities, and conducted geophysical surveys for gold. The work was co-ordinated as much as possible to avoid running up separate alleys. The dairy industry was becoming more and more technical, and, being an old one, its fundamental problems, of which a scientific undertaking was sought, were deep-rooted, the speaker added. It had taken six years for the Dairy Research Institute to secure the foundation knowledge required, and their difficult work should be regarded with patience. Even yet a great deal was not known of dairy fats and fatty acids. The co-operation of the practical workers of the industry was wanted in these things. Professor W. Riddet, Director of the New Zealand Dairy Research Institute, said that when the Managers’ Week was instituted two years ago it had been necessary to limit the numbers on account of the congestion, and it was very difficult, as friendship and criticisms were welcomed. Progress could only be made through the exchange of thought. Factory managers had a mass of invaluable collective information. The dairy industry of New Zealand was very such indebted to the factory managers, and there was a very wide representation at Palmerston North at present. Though ' it could not elucidate all the problems, the Dairy Research Institute was very willing to assist. Drs. H. R. Whitehead and F. H. McDowall also replied briefly. The latter urged managers to seek from their directors at least small laboratory facilities for the carrying out of tests and investigations. VALUE OF MASSEY COLLEGE. Proposing the toast of Massey Agricultural College, Mr S. G. Finch, of Mount Eden, Auckland (president of the Auckland First Assistants’ Association) said the college was a national recognition of the fact that agriculture had reached a stage'where it should be divided into specialised departments. It was a training ground for future workers in the industry, had a unique national aspect, and covered a wide field, providing both theoretical and practical instruction. Tho success achieved could only be attributed to the excellent staffing of tlie college. Their sympathetic assistance to students had always been very reassuring. All had absolute confidence in the personnel of the college. Responding, Mr Morton conveyed the apology of Professor G. S. Peren (principal of the college), who was unable to be present. The college, said Mr Morton, was something the industry had never hoped for or expected to see. Much more modest demands had originally been made and the late Rt. Hon. R. J- Seddon had once,had placed on the Estimates £SOO to be spent on the establishment of an experimental dairy school at the Palmerston North Showgrounds. It was, perhaps, fortunate that the money was never spent. Mr Morton traced the development of the college, and pointed out 'that actually the factory managers had nothing to do with it, but with the Dairy Research Institute accommodated there, except that the college authorities were only too glad to place the buildings and their facilities a.t the disposal of the managers. One of the most pleasant features* of the Research Institute was the establishment of the present annual gathering As president of the National Dairy Association, a member of the College Council since its inception, and of the Dairy Research Committee, it had been a. pleasure to Mr Morton to see the growth of the gathering. Two institutions in tlie Wellington province had this year given cups for grading and judging competitions in butter and cheese at the National Dairy Show in Palmerston North, the competition to be restricted to assistants only. Since it had been taken over the carrying capacity of the college had been increased threefold, and but for the low ruling prices, would at present be showing a handsome pro-

fit on farming operations. The college had a very capable staff and students attended from as far afield as Japan. Women students, too, had taken a keen interest and done exceptionally well. Professor Riddet replied on behalf of the staffs of the college and the institute, saying the spirit pervading the atmosphere was one of the utmost harmony between these two bodies. Mr Nash proposed the toast of “The Dairv Board.” He said that it seemed peculiar that he should have been selected for the honour, because his attitude some time ago, when he considered the price fixation policy was wrong, was well-known. The board had done a great deal for the industry of the Dominion, but he had always held that other markets than the British should be developed, notably the Eastern trade. The vacuum process was what was required for that, and there was a possibility of gaining a footing in this respect. Many complaints had been heard lately concerning the board, but it"'was legally constituted and it was their duty to allow it to carry on. He sincerely hoped the matter of investigating the Eastern market would not be overlooked. Mr Nash said he was sure the representatives on the board would endeavour to do their best for the dairymen.

Responding to the toast; Mr Dermer expressed his appreciation, saying they did not know what the future held for the board or the industry generally. He felt it had no great need to worry from the quality point of view while there were men of the calibre present to watch the manufacturing side. He did not consider the board had failed. It had been facing great difficulties, and had made no serious mistakes in recent years. The problem of a quota, which had been resisted by the board, was of a political rather than a -commercial nature, and was a function for the Government. The Commission appointed had a well-balanced personnel, and he thought it would do more good in the field of internal investigation than in any other. Mr Brash also replied, stating that, whether or not the Dairy Board existed, he felt that the industry was going to face greater control in the next few years than in the past. Relief had to be found for the dairy farmers. Other toasts honoured were those of “The Dairy Division” (Mr J. McDonald, Cheltenham—Mr J. B. Sawers, Palmerston North); “The Dairy Factory Managers’ Association” (Mr J. W. Smith, Massey 'College factory superintendent—Mr J. McDonald); “The Entertainers” (Mr McPherson, Ngongotalia), and The Press (Mr Walker, Pio Pio). Items were contributed by Messrs C. R. Luke, D. E. Sawers, Whitelock, Gray and McDonald.