Better Boxes May Become Things Of the Past

Northern Advocate, 31 May 1939, Page 4

Better Boxes May Become Things Of the Past

Within a short time, the New Zealand dairy industry will be obliged to seek a new form of butter container.

Warning of this was given by Mr A. J, Murdoch, ex-chairman of the New Zealand Dairy Board, at the annual meeting of the Northland Dairy As-

sociation in Whangarei yesterday. Mr Murdoch’s remarks arose out of a remit brought forward by the Ruawai Co-op. Dairy Company, Ltd., to the effect that, in view of constant increases in the cost of butter boxes, the association should recommend wider investigations and that a detailed summary of inquiry be provided to each Northland company. Mr W. S. Wallace, introducing the remit, remarked that it was a matter of very great importance. Prices Rising. Prices were continually rising. he said, and another rise would probably take place this year. “New Zealand timber has been taken to Australia and made into boxes that sell for 1/8, while those made in New Zealand cost 2/2,” he went on.'

“One of our major costs is boxes,” commented Mr S. W. Smith (Bay of Islands).

“We have ■ been acting on the assumption that increased costs would be met by increased prices, but we find this is not so.” Mr Murdoch explained that the Forestry Department had full control over the manufacture of boxes, including price fixation. Against Government Policy. Recently, he said, a large quantity of boxes had been imported from Sweden. Difficulty had been experienced securing labour to brand them, as it was contended in some quarters that this was taking away work from local men.

For a long time, he said, the DairyBoard had been fighting increased costs. /

“It is the Government’s policy to refrain from importing boxes,’’ he went on. “They say we have enough material in New Zealand. We could, save at least 3d per box for imported boxes, but, under the circumstances, we cannot hold out much hope of this being done. Question at Issue.

“It is resolving itself into a question of whether we can get some other kind 'of container, and it looks as though in the near future we will have to look for some new form of material.” Mr E. S. Tremaine (Whangarei Dairy Company) explained that v a sample of an alternative typo of container was on display at the company’s office.

No objections were raised to the remit, which was carried unanimously. A further remit from Bay of Islands, reading “that information be secured and placed before the Dominion Conference relative to the saving which could be made by the industry if imported boxes were used instead of the locally-made white pine boxes,” was also carried.