THE CALF TRADE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 194, 17 July 1937, Page 11

THE CALF TRADE

QUESTION OF COLLECTION. INTERCHANGE OF VIEWS. Suggestions for the betterment of the transport section of the bobby calf business were discussed at an informal sitting of tlie No. 2 Transport Licensing Authority in Palmerston North yesterday afternoon, Mr P. J. Skoglund presided. Proposals which had been discussed at Auckland were outlined by the chairman, who' said they involved pooled collection, contracting with the carriers by each pool for bringing the calves into a central depot, collection of the farm gate and weighing, a graduated pay-out according to the weight of the calf and the calves to be auctioned at the various depots to the buying firms. The scheme aimed at the elimination of the duplication of carrying services and a reduction of cartage costs, the elimination of the competitive element in carting and cutting down waste of time. Further, the expenses of the buying firms would be reduced, and there would be greater regularity of service.

There was one weakness in that scheme as lie saw it. said the chairman —there would be double handling at the depots. The calves would be unloaded and auctioned, then loaded again to be taken to the killing points; also, auctioneers’ charges would have to be met. The chairman of directors of the New Zealand Co-operative Pig Marketing Association had submitted a scheme for producer control from the farm gate to the killing point, with co-ordination of collection, the chanman said. . In the South Wairarapa again, he continued, the producers themselves had organised the business. They had one killing point and let a contract for the carrying. Mr S. McDowall. for the Feilding branch of the Road Transport Alliance, said the members of the branch thought the only way the collection of calves Fould l>e carried on properly was under a rota system. One carrier would operate on one road at the beginning and the close of the season, and two at the most when the season was at its height. The carriers concerned would operate in turn. The price given by all firms would have to be the same on any one given day. As a producer, Mr N. AV. Hastings thought payment should be by v eight. The Co-operative Pig Marketing Association would oppose anv zoning. Buying on live weight would protect the farmer and protect the buying company. Mr AAL T. Stanton (Taianaki) commended Air McDowall's suggestion and said that the rota system could well apply to the companies’ buying as well as the carriers.

A farmer from the Dannevirke district objected strongly to being told where his calves should go. The calves should be tagged and sent to the firm where the farmer desired them to go. he said. The auctioning system would he very effective in the Dannevirke area. Afr A. G. Hear (Rongotea) said that to have an auction sale would mean that the works nearest the sale would be the most favoured. Air Skoglund thought the business should be run bv the producers themselves. Thev would sell on consignment to the works or on a guaranteed price. It would cut down the costs all round. The dairy companies should handle the subject. Several speakers, representing all interests, heartily agreed with the suggestion. Afr AA’. AVilson (South AVairnrapr.’) agreed, saying the Dairy Board was now considering the subject. After a protracted discussion on many points of the problem, the chairman remarked that the whole question resolved itse fl into one of cooperation. If the producers got together, and if the carriers got together if could be solved. The primary »iouucers should “get- hold of this thing and manage it. “If hobby calf collection was properly organised it. would be to the advantage of all. His view was that the solution lay in action being taken bv the primary producers themselves. 'The whole of the transport problem, overlapping and all tlio rest of it. came down to co-ordina-tion. It could not be straightened out in six months, or in 12 months — it might take two or three years.