UNITED DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13483, 9 May 1907, Page 3

UNITED DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION.

&' ANNUAL MEETING. THE ASSOCIATION WOUND-UP. The Auckland...United Dairymen's Association held its annual meeting yesterday afternoon, Mr. John ilassey presiding, and thtero being a largo attendance. "The annual report stated that -the- year just closed had been oho of the best experienced by local dairymen fot a considerable time, there having been abundance of Tain to keep tho grass growing. The wholesale and retail prices had been regulated by the association "some 'degree of satisfaction. Occasionally thire had been some Little friction, generally through over-zealous employees desiring to push trade. This was to be regretted, because as soon as retail prices fell the producer had to suffer to the same extent. : This fact bad the effect of alienating the.farmers from the association, with tho . result that few; of the suppliers were now members. The question of continuing the association:■ in- its present -form was a matter for discussion, "since the suppliers had practically withdrawn, and form- ; ed an. association 'of* their own, '.and; it , was useless to look on tho present 1 association as united any longer. The circumstances in which niilik was produced had been: very much altered in the last two years, owing to rigid dairy inspection. Formerly milk could J be' sent into the market by anyone, but now if a man.wanted to oblige a neighbour short'"in his supplies "he would first have to register. This had the effect of reducing the number of milk suppliers. Considering the;' manner in. which suppliers and retailers were being looked after, one would think it a very good business to be out of. i The balance-sheet "showed a debit balanco of £4- 10s. . ' The Chairman said it was felt that the dairy regulations were going to affect the prices'of milk, and the cost of living was 'i going up, while rents were getting higher. The report • and balance-sheet were adopted. . •The Auckland Wholesale Milk Suppliers' Association sent a deputation consisting of Messrs. Gray, Hodge, and Millan. Mr. Gray stated that his association had been formed at a recent meeting at Otahuhu, as there was great dissatisfaction about the remuneration. It was shown that the cost of production had greatly increased through tho increased prices'of land and labour. The cost of labour; had gone up very much. Ten years ago a good milker could be got for 15s per week and found, but as good-a map ■', could not "now bo got for 255. /<; The present 'H system of inspection was causing hardship, ' and:' suppliers were sometimes ■ dragged to l Court under] most degrading circumstances through no fault of their own. _ ' Mr. Hodge said that, .with the. increased cost of living and rents, the farmers and dealers were ontitled to receive more for the milk. The dealers should be able to get ] 4d per quart in winter, and 3£d in summer. Mr. Millan; said that if he had to pay workers and pay; rents at the present rates he would have gone out of tho business long ago. The prices asked by the farmers were only fair. i Mr. Skeates considered the farmers were quite right in asking 7d and 8d per gallon. It.was a very reasonable thing, and if the retailers combined in town they could get V their own prices. ; ■;.*',;Mr. Hurndall said it was a very difficult ; thing to" raise the price of milk, owing: to, | outside suppliers coming in 'and retailing on their own account. ' Mr. Am bury said consumers had been asking for a long time when milk .was going to come down in price. Ho fully sympathised with the farmers, but ; the prices proposed by the suppliers 'would not admit of milk being supplied' again at 3d per quart. Mr. Gray stated that the town j consumers were considered a, great deal 'more in the . milk trade than in. any other... They .■could : easily find the increased prices,- and drink ! a ', pint of beer loss per week, or forego one •visit to the theatre. A supplier said it was impossible to get any unity in the' milk trade. ' The Chairman pointed' out that at the I Otahuhu meeting it was, agreed that prices should be 7d and 8d per gallon to retailers.' ■ The cost of labour and cost of land were the i questions contributing to the rise. ■ Mr. Skeates said the difficulty retailera-on- ' countered was the number of small men in • the suburbs who sold milk at practically any ,;'. price, and carted it round themselves. If •; retailers could not get Is 2d and Is 4d per , '' gallon, they, could not nay 7d and Bd, and ■:■'. would have to; go further back into the .country for supplies, and get a Sunday milk i, train on. ; The Chairman: Ido not think that would ' frighten us. If I could get reasonable excuse ■ I would go out of dairy farming .to-morrow. ■/', Another supplier:; -I don't care if I never milk another cow.. The work's worth, more than we' get. On 'the chairman's motion,; it was , decided to wind-up. the 'United- Dairymen's Association, and to '-, form a; new. association of ' retailers. Subsequently the preliminary .steps •; incidental to the forming of the new associa- ; tion 'were taken. '■ Tho retail dealers decided-to take'the title : of "Auckland Milk Vendors' Association," and elected Mr. S. J.' Ambury president, i Messrs.;; Hurndall ,;' and Webber vice-presi-dents, ' and Mr. • 0.; A. Senior seoretary and treasurer. ■.'•'" : '' : .-," ;■■ ■-..'•" -