CHEESE PRODUCTION

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 194, 18 July 1941, Page 6

CHEESE PRODUCTION

MEETING LABOUR PROBLEMS. Tho Government's desire to obtain as much choose as possible in the coming season was considered by the Manawatu and West Coast Dairy Companies' Association at a meeting yesterday, when a letter from the Minister of Agriculture (Hon. J. G. Barclay) was read. This stated that it was recognised, where manufacturing twice a day was adopted, the extension of the curing room would probably be necessary. In a lew cases tnc extension of the making room might also bo justified. "At present," the letter added, "it is hoped to avoid the building of complete new units since the period of use might not justify the capital expenditure on permanent structures which might not be required later for cheese production. It is doubtful, however, whether the greatest practical effort, short of building new units, will produce all the cheese required. My department is doing allit can to ai'd manufacturers ot dairy plant in getting the necessary rawmaterials. While it will give any further practical assistance which is advisable, the position at the moment does not appear to justify such control as would set aside the usual business transactions between dairy companies and dairy plant manufacturers. The question of labour lias already been taken up with the National Service Department. It is considered that over 700 extra hands may be required at cheese factories, a number of whom may he available from creameries affected by the change over." The chairman (Mr S. A. Hroadbelt) commented that this was the biggest job New Zealand factories had ever had to handle.

Mr J. Boycc stated that no provision had been made for extra labour on farms. The change-over to cheese would mean that many farmers would have to deliver milk twice a day and this entailed a great deal of extra work. A cony of a circular from the New Zealand Board, dealing with labour problems, was then read. Thistator] that much readjustment and brcak ; ng-in of unskilled workers would be necessary. The board strongly recommended that dairy companies find officials provide the* fnllest possible co-operation with the Placement Service bv notifying the nearest office ot nrobable requirements and endeavouring to provide for men as they become available.

The letters were received, the chairman commenting that the association has gone as far as it could at present.

HIGHER CHEESE OUTPUT.

Arrangements have been completed by Woodville dairying interests to put into effect on August 1 a cheese production plan agreed upon at a conference held here lust Friday. At the conference representative of the Woodville, Riverbank, l'apatswa, Hopclands, Wairuke and United dairy companies were present, .Mr W. 11. Nixon (I'upuiawa) presiding. Mr J. Walker, of the Dairy Division, explained matter;, in connection with tho demand for a. larger output of cheese. At his suggestion, u round table discussion ensued, with the result that the United company agreed to u plan under which its production of butter for tho forthcoming season would be limited to 275 tons, and tho milk equivalent of 100 tons of butter would be diverted from its suppliers to other factories. Al. •tho choeso factory representatives agreed to this proposition, and the necessary arrangements regarding the diversion ot supplies to the factories concerned have been completed, the plan to take effect on August 1. It was further agreed that the quantity of milk so diverted from the United company's factory 1 during tho period of the war and for 12 months afterwards should he returned to the company for 12 months after the peiiod of Imperial e>upplv, after which time suppliers would be tree to resume their own arrangements. Under similar allocations made for the present season the United company's butter output is affected to the extent of about 250 tons.