West Coast Factories Producing More

Manawatu Times, Volume 59, Issue 221, 21 September 1934, Page 3

West Coast Factories Producing More

CONCERN AT CHANGES PENDING IN INDUSTRY The annual meeting of the Mana--watu and West Coast Dairy Factories’ ' Association -was held yesterday, Mr S. A. Broadbelt (Levin) occupying the chair. Other delegates present were Messrs C. G. C. Dermer (Cheltenham), J. Boyco (Tui), F. C. Raikcs (Oroua Downs), S. E. Algar (Taikorea), F. Hansen (Awahuri), J. Devine (Kairanga). Messrs Dermer and Dal'ziell, representing the butter interests, and Messrs Algar and Boyce representing the cheese factories, who retired by rotation, wero re-elected to the executive. It was decided to write to Mr I*. J. Nathan, representative of dried milk manufacture, expressing sympathy in his indisposition, and inviting him to appoint a substitute. Mr E. B. Jennings was reappointed auditor.

The chairman’s annual report said that all members were now working amicably for the good of the industry. Matters* of interest had received careful attention at the monthly meetings. “It should be noted,” added the chairman, “that a new arrangement has-been come to during the past year whereby an equal number of members representing both butter and cheese interests sits oil the executive, together with one representative of dried milk interests, and it has boon found that this has worked most satisfactorily. Wo now havo twenty-six dairy companies joined up with the association, and I would urge on all companies to bring before the association any matters affecting the industry that require adjustment so that your executive can give them careful consideration at its monthly meetings, and if considered desirable bring recommendations before the proper quarter, us coining from a large body of dairy farmers, and as such worthy of careful consideration by the authorities. Dairy companies’ associations similar to ouis ar# now operating in the following areas: Wairarapa, South Auckland, Taranaki, Bush districts, and Hawke » Bay. It is often found that an exchange of opinions between these associations has been beneficial to all concerned. It is hoped that the as sociation will' continue to receive the support of all dairy companies in the district, as in the past, and that thereby good results can be obtained in the future. 1 ’ —The report was adopted. Is Expansion Warranted? It was rather disappointing that there were not more people present, added Mr Broadbelt. Nevertheless the association was going along well. From a production point of view, the past year had been a successful one, despite unfavourable climatic conditions at the outset. Output had shown a further substantial' increase. It was perhaps debatable if a further expansion in volume of output was now desirable, yet with the improvement in farms, dairy method and stock, this expansion appeared inevitable. In 1932-33 a total of 117,719 tons of butter was graded, whilo for 1933-3-1 the figure was 131,962 tons—an increase of 31.76 per cent. The comparative figures for cheese were 90,941 tons, 95,091 tons, 4.56 per cent. The position obtained in all dairying districts, and it would be fatal for New Zealand if t.hc way to expansion were barred. Everything now hinged on tho outcome of tho commission, and some fairly radical changes were apparently pending. The licensing of farms might be quite a good step, and farm instruction or inspection should be all to the good. If any changes mooted were based on wise deliberations, then it behoved the association to back up the Government. Mr Broadbelt urged tho value of herd-testing, which he said brought undoubted benefits to the herdsman. In 1910, of some 583,163 cows in the Dominion, only 815 were tested. In the 1933-31 season there were 1,960,000 cows in milk, and of

theso 275,000 wero tested. It was small wonder that production had expanded to such magnitude. Fertilisers Essential Another matter of moment to the dairy farmers was the provision of fertilisers. Admittedly, many farmers found it difficult to put up the money for purchasing fertilisers. Yet this should really be one of the first considerations. If fertilising were neglected the farms would not carry the same number of cows, and u quota would speedily become unnecessary. Pig Production In the last few years dairymen had been urged to devote their energies and resources to pig-raising. This had been done, only for tho quota restriction to arise. It looked as if the farmers wero again in a position where they were liable to be “scotched.” All the eort of the last few years would be to no purpose if a reasonably e..pansivo market could not bo obtained. It was estimated that this season there were twice as many breeding sows as previously, yet the added product would be of little avail' if it could not be marketed. Dairy Board Representation The restriction on boneless veal and on tinned meat .had entailed considerable hardship. Yet the sheepfarmeis and the beef fat toners were still clearing their product without difficulty. Possibly the dairy industry had insufficient direct representation on the Meat Board, and he thought steps should be taken to remedy this. Air Ai'gar inquired whether bodies such as the association would have an opportunity of discussing any legislation brought down as tho result of the Commission’s findings. The chairman thought not. Ilicio had been a chance for making representations to the Commission iu evidence, and probably that would be all. Mr Devine said that the men on the Commission were competent authorities, who evidently had the good o! the industry at heart, and it might not even be desirable to have their findings unduly opposed. Members indulged in considerate speculation as to tho nature of the Commission’s findings, but considered that bridges should not be crossed before being encountered. It was decided, on the motion of Mr Algar, to record tho opinion that the association should havo an opportunity] to review legislation beforo it was, finally enacted by tho House. This, view'will be brought to the notico of j the Dairy Producers’ Board, as head! of the industry, and of the Minister of Agriculture. ' The chairman was voted the usua. honorarium. j

’The Rangitikci Dairy Company, which was not represented at the meeting, urged the importance of farm dairy instruction, as the quality of the produce was cf great importance to the industry.—Discussion was deferred pending release of the Commission’s report.