THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10477, 24 June 1897, Page 3

THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

Mr. Wesley Sfkago, manager of the New Zealand Dairy Association, has issaed the following circular to the milk suppliers :— Sir,— month has passed since we seat out voting papas, upon the result of which we proposed to decide the length of the coming milk season. The whole of these papers have not yet been returned to us. - Each mail i«. still bringing in a batch of them, but as the season is so nearly at hand it appears desirable that you should be advised of a conclusion without delay. We have therefore closed the poll, and have accepted the votes which we have received up so date as settling the matter. The result of the poll is as follows :— Votes. For the old term of eight months .. - '"* For the term of nine months, including May 313 For the term of nine months, including August and omitting May 178 For the term <>f ten months, including both August and May 121 _ From these figures it will be seen that there is a general desire to have a longer term. We have therefore decided that our contract period for the season 1897-Bshall be in accordance with the largest vote, viz., from September to May inclusive. This will apply to all creameries. To meet the wishes of the considerable number who have asked for the inclusion of August we have, for this season, decided to open our creameries for that month in the several districts whero the voting of the people indicates that they wish to supply for ten months. This arrangement will not only meet the wishes of those interested, but will test the practicability of a ten months' term, As it is certain that for a first season the August month must be run at a considerable loss to ourselves, I have to request that all who have voted for it will make such large preparation for supplying as will help to reduce that loss.

The following are the districts in which the creameries will be opened from August to May inclusivePukekohe, Waipipi, Puni, Pukerimu, Mauku, Otaua, Bombay, Hamilton, Waiuku, Pokeno, Te Awamutu, Ngaruawahia, Maungatawhiri, and Pukekura. The following are the districts in which the creameries will be opened from September to May inclusive:—Tuakau, Ramaraina, Te Kowhai, Uhaupo, Papatoitoi, Te Aroha, Faterangi, Pirongia, Kihikihi. and Whatawhata.

The several new creameries which are being established will open as soon as they are ready, unci will finish their term at the end of May. Sub-clause (a) of condition 10 of the last season'a agreement reads as follows:—" Provided that if the total mm paid for all milk received at the whole of the association's creameries for the season does not equal an average of 2fd per gallon, the balance to make up the average to that price shall, at the end of the season, be paid over to the suppliers pro rata, in proportion to the quantity of milk which they have individually supplied." Referring to this I have to inform yon that the completed accounts of payments made for milk for the past season show that during that season we received two millions nine hundred and thirty-four thousand one hundred and ninety-five (2,934,195) gallons of milk, of 3.6 butter-fat quality, for which we paid thirty-three thousand four hundred and ninety-four pounds seventeen shillings and sevenpence {£33,494 17s 7d), or an average of 2*7397 pence per gallon. In accordance with our terms we have to pay to all last season's suppliers an extra sum of one penny (Id) per hundred (100) gallons upon all the milk which they supplied. This will make up the average price paid for 3'6 milk to 2|d per gallon for season of eight months, Skim milk returned free.