FACTORY MANAGERS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 169, 18 June 1936, Page 2

FACTORY MANAGERS

ANNUAL MEETING. A YEAR OF DIFFICULTIES. The annual meeting of fhe New Zealand Dairy Factory Managers’ Association was held at the Winter Show, last evening. Mr P. C. H. Petersen (Cambridge) presided and there was an attendance of over forty.

The report presented by the president and. the secretary was as follows: —“From a manufacturing point of view nothing of any degree of certainty can be predicted from season to season which would border on general routine in the treatment of cream for buttermaking and milk for cheese-making, and the season just closed has bristled with difficulties for those whose constant concern is for the qualit" of the manufactured article. The earlier part of the season showed promise, later to be followed by real difficulties, perha.ps in a greater measure for cheese-mak-ers than for butter-makers. The propa- | gation and perpetuation of starters has never been more perplexing. It is because of such uncertainties that a da.iry factory manager’s job is one of constant strain and no reasonable return in monev can adequately compensate him for his 24-hour day responsibility. “It will be noted that a reduction in subscriptions from £2 2s to £1 12s to cover members’ registration fees has materially affected the fina.ncial position, which nevertheless is eminently satisfactory. The executive entertained Professor W. Kiddet at a dinner and made him a presentation of a travelling rug, prior to his leaving for abroad, and this action a fitting one for the association. “The, association’s representatives have tried ,on numerous occasions during the last 25 years to effect seme measure of uniformity in salaries, but without any appreciable degree of success, a.nd the executive is now of the opinion that some further action is necessary for the protection, of both employers and managers. With this object in view, the Dominion secretary addressed meetings in Auckland, Taranaki, Manawatu and Wairarapa, and it is the opinion of these meetings that application should be made under the Conciliation and Arbitration Act for a Dominion-wide award. Hie usual conferences a.nd inspection of butter and cheese have been h-eld in the chief, centres and the executive desires again to convey the thanks and appreciation of members to Mr W. M. Singleton and officers of the Dairy Division for their untiring efforts in making this work possible and useful. The same is also extended to Professor Riddet and Dr. Whitehead, and the staff of Massey College. “In accordance with the by-laws, one Auckland and one Taranaki member of the executive, as well as one of the three representing other branches, retire. Mr W. L. Hollis retires for the Auckland branch, Mr F. 0. Pedersen for the Taranaki branch and Mr J. JHenry for the other branches. All are eligible for re-election.” In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, the chairman commented that the balance-sheet did not read as well as usual, but the association had had to meet unusually Heavy expenses in looking after its affairs and for that reason the debit balance was not a.s bad as it might appear at first sight. There had been much travelling to do, and many expenses had been incurred. All the expenses would not be recurring, and the association should show a credit balance next year. It appeared now, Mr Petersen added, that there would be a cha.nge in the manner of the marketing of the Dominion’s dairy produce. However, it was the job of the factory managers to make the highest quality produce possible and he was sure that they would continue with that aim. This year, the managers had had a great deal of trouble in cheese factories with their starter-milk. That had been very evident in the Waikato district, whore it had been worse than for many years. The president then moved the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, the motion being carried.

ELECTION OF EXECUTIVE. Mr G. D. Kearney (Wocdville) asked, if a butter factory changed over to checiio production, would the manager have to relinquish liis position? The chairman said that unless the manager held a “ticket” allowing him to make cheese, or unless the factory' directors would employ a certificated cheese-maker, he would lose his position. The secretary (Mr J. Murray) said that surely no manager would expect to be allowed to be given a certificate for making cheese when he knew nothing about it. If such a position arose the manager would have the usual channels open to him to cjiial.fy for a cheese factory manager’s certificate. Coming from the executive, the following motion was placed before the meeting: “That ail reference ill the rules to entrance fees be deleted.” Iho motion was passed. The following were nominated tor the three vacant positions on the executive: Messrs W. Taylor (Stratford), W. Hollis (Hinuera) and J. J. Henry (Dunedin). That being the required number to fill the vaca.ncies caused by retirements, they were declared elected by the president, who stated that Mr Pedersen had intimated that he did not wish to seek re-election this year, retiring in favour of one ot the other nominees. Mr Pedersen would be missed by the executive members, said the president, who extended thanks to him for his services. Mr W. E. Bendall. F.P.A., N.Z., was re-appointed auditor. GRADING OF PRODUCE.

Mr Hollis moved that gra.ders of cheese and butter should not know whose butter they were grading. H-e thought that it would be better if the produce they were handling was unknown as to brand. Officers of the Dairy Division of the Department of Agriculture said this could not be arranged in New Zealand, but he thought it was possible. The motion was seconded by Mr W. S- Death (Awaburi). A member remarked that the motion might be taken as a slight on the dairv graders, as it appeared to suggest that some of the graders were favouring certain factories Comment was also made that if grading unknown butter and cheese was good enough for dairy produce graders it might he stated that it was good enough for cream graders. Explaining his contentions further, Mr Hollis said that the brands were unknown to those who were making Show awards. The managers thought that was a good procedure so why should it not be just as good at the grading stores? There would probably be a differential payment for produce and grading would be very important. Personally, he would have more confidence in' the grading if the brands were unknown to the graders and the butter and cheese were graded on their actual merits on the “plugs taken. The “blinding” of the brands had been carried out in N-ew South YYales with great success. V 1 The cliairma.n remarked that lie did not see how it could ho done because of the extra work it would entail. When invited by the chairman to speak, Mr G. M. Valentino (Assistant-

Director of the Dairy Division) said that the subject had been debated many times. He did not regard the proposed as a vote of no-confidence in the graders, but he thought that it was quite impracticable. He asked how it could be carried out with effect at the smaller ports where there were only a few brands of produce on the grading floor? At the 6ame time, how would it be carried into effect at Auckland, where 4,000.000 boxes ,of butter were handled annually? Double floor space would be required, and it would increase costs. Looking at the matter from all points of view', lie could assure his listeners that if the suggestion was carried into effect the industry would not be a bit further forward than it was now. There were not the big fluctuations to-day in dairy produce grades that there were some yeans ago when the factory managers had not been as well versed in cause and effect, and when the new machinery was just coming into use. ■ The motion was then put, but was lost by a large majority. ,