THE VALUE OF GRADING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13496, 24 May 1907, Page 6

THE VALUE OF GRADING.

SOME INTERESTING CORRES- .* J s PONDENCE. ' V A QUESTION OF CIRCULARS. , Some time ago there was formed in Auckland an association of dairy factory managers, butter makers, and assistants, representative of the dairying industry in Auckland province/and entitled the Auck- j land Dairymen'* Association. This body was, in part, responsible for the inauguration of the Winter Show, and to help the movement it issued circulars to all its members for distribution amongst milk suppliers, asking , for shilling subscriptions to a fund for prizes at the summer and winter shows, and it was thereby enabled to offer substantial prizes for competition amongst Auckland factories. This led to some in- j teresting correspondence, which was pro- j duccd at an executive meeting last cvcii-j ins- _ . ..!

• The President (Mr. D. J. McGowan) said the question arose in this way : Mr. Thorni ton, the produce grader, who was a member lof the association, asked Mr. Wesley jSpragg, managing director of the New Zealand Dairy Association, if ho would permit the prize fund circulars to be sent to the | factories controlled by his association. Mr. j Spra replied that lie would lay the matter before-his directors, and Mr. Thornton i reported this to the secretary, Mr. H. G. Hill, who officially wrote Mr. Spragg, mak- \ ing the request for permission. Mr. ISpragg replied as follows "Dear sir,— Your request of December 10 has, as proj raised, been, submitted for the considera- '■ tion of my directors' board, and I am to [advise you that while,'-my company will .avoid needless antagonism to Mr. Thornton, the Government grader, and any work i which lie may undertake, in view of cirI cumstances" which have already been indicated, and need not further be referred'to, we cannot associate ourselves (is a company more than is necessary with his organisations. Will you kindlv accept this as final?" The Secretary said lie 'had replied to the letter as follows:—"Dear sir, Yours of the 20th to hand, and as it contains a reply to my request there is no need for an answer, only the trend of your letter shows you " are under, a . misapprehension which needs explaining with regard to' our association. You say you cannot associate yourselves [ more than is necessary with Mr. Tliorntonj or 'his organisations.! lam sure you ■will pardon my drawing your attention to the fact that Mr. Thornton is a Givernment official, , and as such is a member of out association, which comprises factory managers, assistants, etc., and all engaged in the butter and cheese industry, and as secretary of such I have a decided objection to it being called 'Mr. Thornton's organisation.' In making the request to you he only acted as we expect every member to act, viz., to use every legitimate endeavour to further ■ the interests of the dairying industry, and we appreciate his efforts to the fullest extent.'!' * , : *■ ' ' -

Mr. Longuet: It's a -most/, peculiar action to take. - - . / The Secretary:. It's a most direct insult. " The President: An insult not only to Mr. Thornton, but to this association. ; Mr. McGowan went oiL to say he considered • Mr. • Spragg's action was 1 in very bad taste.*., It . was very pleasing to know that others in the industry took the matter in > a very different way. Not one factory circularised 'had failed to contribute. (Applause.) So liberal were the responses that more than was required was received, and 1 the association' gave £20 towards the special class for butter.:. None of. the factories under Mr. Spragg's supervision had contributed. - • " ' • - '.

Mr. Tait said' a number of managers and employees of. the factories controlled by Mr.: Spragg were anxious to join the Association, and contribute to the prize fund, and compete, but, of course, could not do so.. •' . . ■ -, * • . : , . - Mr. ■ Elliott-'then '-moved :—That " this j meeting of the Auckland Dairymen's Association regrets that Mr. Wesley'. Spragg could ; not , see hisj way to allow circulars to - be- sent to the New Zealand Dairy As-1 sociation factories) and considers the tone of his letter needlessly offensive, this association being ' purely a voluntary one, formed by the dairy 'factory managers solely for the promotion of the interests of the dairyingindustry; :it further ' desires to most emphatically declare its approval jof . the Government grading system, and j its complete confidence in Mr. / Thornton, the grader at Auckland, as «i most ; efficient and capable officer,- and that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Minister for Agriculture." ' * If t \ Mr. Hill seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously, with applause.