DAIRYING INDUSTRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15932, 1 June 1915, Page 4

DAIRYING INDUSTRY.

CONFERENCE OF DELEGATES

REVIEW OF PAST SEASON., Tub second annual conference of the managers of the dairv factories in the North Auckland district was held at the offices of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association yesterday. There was a large attendance, and Mr. A. Morton, president of the National Dairy Association, presided. x Tile chairman opened the conference with an address, and referred at the outset of his remarks to the war. The dairying industry had benefited from the war in tfio matter of increased prices, and those engaged in the industry who had reaped .these additional profits should bear the patriotic funds in mind. During the past year the -exports from New Zealand had increased by 16 per cent, in the case of butter and 3 per cent, in the case of cheese, The doatinual extension of the industry in the Auckland district was largely responsible for this, and this expansion, he felt convinced, would continue for some time to come. In North' Auckland there were large areas of land which could be made to produce a good' deal more than at present, and the increased prices should result in more land becoming productive. Practically all the factories in the North Island had consigned their produce last year. This had proved to be the most satisfactory method, and the various companies had had the benefit of very high prices on the English market. I his result had been obtained despite the increased insurance, dock ana war risk charges. For certain materials, also, they had had to pay increased prices, , With regard to the handling of the produce, continued the' chairman, they had had considerable difficulties to surmount during the whole of the season. The National Dairy Association had had a contract with the shipping companies for the carriage of produce, and it was realUd at the beginning of the year that they were likely to experience some trouble in getting their produce away. Fortunately, the shipping arrangements had been of a highly satisfactory nature, and so far as butter was concerned there had been no reason to complain. ]N\i\\ regard to cheese, there had been some delay, but this was inevitable, the production this year having increased much move than at one time had been anticipated. There was now a large quantity of cheese in the Dominion, and it was probable before the accumulated stocks, got away they would, be into the next .manufacturing season. The shipping companies had been eager to afford every opportunity for getting the produce away, and they had been backed up the whole of the time by the Government. Work of Conference. A discussion arose as to whether the delegates should form themselves into an association or should simply hold an annual conference and appoint a committee to attend to the resolutions, which were adopted by the conference. A committee, consisting of- Messrs. Bassett, McDonald, and Hudeon, was appointed to see that the resolutions passed by the conference reached the proper authorities, and Mr. J, Lockhead, secretary of the Auckland -branch of the National Dairy Association, was appointed to act (is secretary of tllo committee.

Cream Grading. ''-■■ ~ . I The delegates bore testimony to tfie Advantage which had followed the adoption of a system of cream grading. A material improvement, it was declared, had be«*i wrought in the quality of the produce. One delegate said that the grading of the cream should be combined with a systematic inspection of dairies by some o'fficial appointed by the ■ Government. This would be of great value to the small factories, as the large factories could afford .to appoint an inspector of their 'own. He had made a personal inspection, and the " surprises " he had got had in' duced him to mention.the. matter. At a later "stage of the conference the following motion was carried:-"In view of the success achieved by the system of cream grading and the need of extending ,it, to secure the maximum benefits this conference is 'of opinio:; that wherever factories are prepared to' cooperate to secure the appointment of a competent instructor the assistance of the Agricultural Department should be given by subsidy, wherever necessary." 'Mr. D. Cuddie, the director of dairy produce, said ho was sure every consideration would be given by the Government to the wishes of the delegates; Already, the Government had recognised the principle of meeting the settlers in isolated districts in this respect. For instance, there was a grader at Qisborne, who also acted as instructor. There wero only three companies there, and they contributed towards the expenditure. It would only be fair to follow similar lines in the North, where the factories were not strong enough to help themselves. • •

Wharfage Charges. The committ, 1 appointed to. consider the question of wharfage'charges at Auckland reported that the thairman of the Auckland Harbour Board had met them fairly in the matter,' The, board would not impose a landing charge provided the produce they were remitting the charge on was for transhipment. An appreciable saving had been the result.

Railway freights. Mr. Hudson (Kaipara Dairy Company) moved:— "That the railway'tariff rates on cream now being enforced are excessive, and that the Minister for Railways, also the Prime Minister, be approached regarding the revision of the tariff, inasmuch as under the present conditions .the trader discriminates most unfairly aipunst many ( of "the smaller suppliers/ end also dees not tend to improve the general' ideas of the industry regarding quality, etc. I After some discussion a suggestion .was vrpde that the matter be placed tofore the Prime Minister, the Hon. W. F. Masssy, who is also Minister for Agriculture. . Mr. Cuddie. the Director of Dairy Produce, said that if this procedure were adopted the matter would probably' bo placed before the dairy division for report. The views of the factory, managers on the subject could then be set out and a recommendation could be made of a way out of the difficulty.' ■ r .'■ ' .'-' It was resolved that a deputation should wait on Mr. Massey with reference to the matter. .. ~»' , ' Freezing Charges. Mr. Bassett, on behalf of,. the. Northern Wairoa Dairy Company, moved:—"That the charge of 6d per bo* of butter and l-16d per lb of cheese made by the Auckland Farmers' Freezing Company should cover one month's freezing, instead of 14 days as at present." Mr. H. G. Stringer, tlio secretary of the ! Auckland Farmers' Freezing Company, said thai the company Jiad arranged to charge 6d per box of butter and 1-lod per lb of cheese provided that the 'butter was shipped by the first steamer available- and the storage did not exceed one month. The motion was then withdrawn.