The Dairy Industry

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 173, 25 July 1935, Page 8

The Dairy Industry

(To tho Editor.)

Sir, —I note with a deal of interest tho report of the recent conference of Manawatu dairy companies’ representatives. All delegates had time to consider proposals. Thcro seem to be several issues that requiro consideration.

(a) Overlapping in the collection of cream. —This is a long-standing bogy; for, Sir, the butcher, tho baker, the grocer, and ail classes of business, do tho same only in a very much more expensive way. From my front door I can sco ‘five different butchers’ vans pass. I could mention scores of such cases, but nothing is said of that (and should not). It is tho art of business, and the same applies to butter-produc-ing companies. But it might happen that four five-tou lorries may travel over a given stretch of road to collect tho cream from four farmers who choose tho respective companies, and one company will not convey its rival company’s cream. This, Sir, is the only wrong that is required to be righted, and this can be done simply. No honest director of a dairy company can object to the following suggestion which I made some years ago on this same subject. The only restrictions required arc in tho collection of cream, as follow: —(1) Form a cream-collecting board in this district, each company to have one representative; (b) erect or provide suitable cream depots situated in suitable localities; (3) each company's secretary to supply to tho board a list of lorries and drivers and hours of operation upon the road, also a list of suppliers; (1) the board to have full control of all cream collecting, tho drivers to be forbidden to canvass for customers; (5) the lorrry drivers to take all instructions from the board for that part of their labours which represents cream collection; (6) the board to arrange loadings, instructing any driver to tako all the cream from one road and deliver to depots all cream that does not belong to his factory. He would also havo to collect at the same depot cream which -would havo been delivered thero by other lorries. By this method tho same lorries aud drivers would operate as in tho past, and every company would bo making a saving of some small amount. Tho managers, secretaries, directors and suppliers could still canvass for supply if they so desired and it woui'd not affect tho quality of the cream or the road traffic.

(b) It may bo also advisable to ask for regulations for cream to bo at the factory not later than a certain hour. Then a supplier would have to cliooso a factory near enough to enable that to bo done.

(c) Amalgamation of dairy companies; that is, to form one big company in this district.—That should not bo entertained for ono moment, as it Avould only bring the actual dairy farmer nearer to slavery than at present (if such were possible, because slaves have a right to live, and some of us have not that under present conditions). In a big amalgamated company overhead expense would increase, becauso the first step would havo to bo a general manager and his staff. This would not reduce the present overhead expenses of any one company in comparison to tho extra office created. Furthermore, the suppliers would havo l’ess control of tho election of directors than at present, and it can be noted in many eases the same directors are re-elceted each year just because they arc good fellows and for no other reason. If they don’t stand (heir friends aro annoyed and discord is caused to all. In this there is a sad-ly-needed regulation compelling each director io stand down for an equal term to his period in office. This would have a tendency to strengthen small companies. It woui'd give a better opportunity for a supplier to have a term of office which, would make him feel he had an interest in his company other than just a ‘ ‘cowspanker.” Small companies should be protected, especially cheese-producing companies. If it is decided that any company should bo protected then it should be by way of subsidj', to reduce its overhead expenses and so bring it on a par with other competing companies. Then let efficiency and ability oa the part of their directors bo responsible for the company sinking or swimming. —I am, etc.,

H. SCIIREIBEE. Rongotea, July 22.

17s, 17s Gd; store 2-tooth wethers 19s 8d to 21s.

Cattle: Fat cows, £2 10s to £3 10s; heavier do, £4 to £0 4s; vealers, 28s to £2 17s; yearling hcfiL-rs, 20s to 30s; store cows, 12s Gd to 27s Gd. Dairy stock: Springing dairy cows, £2 15s to £3 15s; high-grade springing Jcrse3' heifers, close to profit, £5 to £7; later calving do, £3 .J Os to £4 Is-