DAIRY INDUSTRY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 121, 20 April 1940, Page 4

DAIRY INDUSTRY

CENTRAL WARD CONFERENCE. WOODVILLE-PAHIATUA AREA. A large number of delegates representing the Woodville, l’amatua wild Dannevirke distracts of the New Zealand Dairy Board's central ward attended a conference held in Woodville yesterday. Mr A. Linton, ward manner for the district, presided, and among those present were the chairman of the Dairy Board (Mr W. E. Hale), the chairman of the Herd Recording Council ot the Dairy Board (Mr R. A. Candy) and the board’s accountant (Mr Courtenay). Li briefly welcoming the delegates, Mr Linton dealt with some of the problems affecting the industry at the present time and the assistance given by the board to research work in connection with mastitis and other stock diseases, and also to the investigations being made into the position regarding milking machines, in which latter case it was the board’s aim to standardise the type of machine in U6e. The importance of storing supplies of butter boxes at dairy factories was emphasised in view of a possible shortage of timber. The problem of securing increased production was one of the most pressing of the day, but lie was sure farmers would accept the responsibility providing other sections ot industry ai<i the same. Another matter that was causing the board some concern was the lanour question, there being a distinct shortage of farm labourers throughout the Dominion. The speaker also- reierred to the effect of the suddenly changed international situation in Hcandinavia on Britain's supplies of butter, cheese, eggs and bacon. Germany’s Jatest move had resulted in supplies of these commodities from Denmark and Norway being cut off and some means of replacing them with imports from the Dominions would have to be devised. Wo far as New Zealand was concerned, she would do her part in this connection, but the Government would have to give the farming industry more sympathetic consideration. Mr Halo gave a lengthy review of the Dairy Board’s activities in the past year and of the present position of the industry. Briefly outlining the work being done by the Herd Recording Council, MiCandy said that improved dairy herds were considered essential to an improved standard of living in the community generally. After detailing what had been achieved and was being achieved to this end, Mr Candy pointed out that there were 1.700.000 cows in milk in the Dominion this year. This figure was 00.000 fewer than in the previous year and represented the lowest total since 1901-32, and it cullings were the same in 1940 as in 1939 it could be expected that a further decline would he recorded next year.

Mr Candy appealed to fanners t.o rear as many of their calves ns possible, provided thqv wore from good cows, as a means of guarding against this eventuality. Tt was New Ze a-j land’s duty to assist by doing all in her power to increase production in replacing imports that the Mother Country had lost through the new turn of events overseas. REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. Questions were then invited. Mr Harding asked it tlie board had taken steps to urge upon the Government ttio necessity lor alleviating the delay in securing supplies of superphosphate. Mr Hale, in reply, said tnat nothing had yet been dune, but the matter would be taken up with the authorities concerned. Mr Davis (Mainua) sought partieu lars of the method employed in tompiling tlie average prices tor dairy produce. Mr Courtenay replied that the figures were worked out from the balance-sheets of dairy companies. Mr A. H. Hansen (Dannevirke) asked what steps had been taken regarding the move to secure increased wages for farm workers. Replying, tlie chairman said the proposed increases had been strenuously combated, as farmers were not in a to meet further increases in costs. The position was that they were awaiting the Arbitration Court’s decision in regard to a new award lor factory managers, while at the same time expecting increased demands from farm labourers. He took it that producers’ organ isalions concerned would oppose these latter demands. Mr Hansen also inquired if it was proposed to take steps to place on reserve certain lunds which would be made available at the end of the war. In reply. .Mr Hale said it was not within the constitution of the board to adopt such a course. Mr Olsson asked whether there was a possibility of anything being done in regard to the prices offered for stock. It was not very encouraging to farmers who bred good calves to be offered low prices when putting stock on the market. Mr Courtney replied that he could not see what could be done about it as it was mostly a question of supply and demand. i Replying to a question by Mr Leach as to whether it was a tact that there were several factories in New Zealand manufacturing margarine, Mr Linton said this was so, but that manufacture in New Zealand was controlled by regulations. It had to be admitted that

large quantities of margarine were being consumed in the Dominion at the present time. REMITS EUR CONFERENCEThree remits came up for consideration. The first, from the Hiunua Dairy Company, read: “That the Government; be asked to adhere to the late Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage's assurance that all contracts will be honoured by tho Government.” A note accompanying the remit explained that the timnuii company had a contract with a private carrier to convey cheese to the Wellington cool stores lor 27s Gd per ton. When the Transport Department took over tho carrier’s business the company was assured that the contract would be honoured. For a period the terms of the contract were adhered to.'Now. however, the department concerned had repudiated the contract and it now cost approximately 35s per ton to convey the cheese to 'Wellington. The period of the contract was five years, commencing August 16, 1935. —After discussion, the remit was withdrawn and it was decided u» take the matter up privately with the authorities concerned. “That the regulations be altered to allow of the night and morning milk supplv to factories being graded separately” was the text of a remit submitted by the Bush Dairy Companies’ Association.—The concensus of opinion was that the request was a very reasonable one. The remit was moved by Mr Davis, seconded by Mr O’Brien, and carried. The Norsewood Dairy Company forwarded a remit: “That a further ward meeting l>e held prior to the Dominion conference in order that appointed delegates be given the opportunity of obtaining filial instruction in connection with their wards.”—Air Cammock formally moved the remit, which Mr Davis seconded pro forma. Following a discussion, the chairman suggested that tlie remit l>e withdrawn, and on his giving an assurance to the meeting that Dominion conference remits would be sent to delegates in sufficient time for them to give adequate consideration to them, this course was agreed to The meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to vi.sting hoard representatives for the valuable information made available.