THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16561, 9 June 1917, Page 9

THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

WAIKATQ COMPANY'S RECORD

A YEAR OF PROGRESS.

The Waikato Dairy Company's suppliers' annual dinner was held in the Town Hall, Hamilton, on Thursday evening, when approximately 500 suppliers participated. Mr. W. D. Thompson (Te Hoe), director, presided, and opened the proceedings by giving a hearty welcome to all present, and especially those returned soldiers who had settled on the Kereone Estate, near Jlorrmsville. He trusted that, these heroes would make successful farmers and be suppliers of the Waikato Dairy Company. (Applause.) lie stated that the company had had a very good season, and had already shipped a large quantity of butter to the Old Country. No doubt the butter now in store would be exported in good time. Continuing, the speaker teferred to the labour difficulty which the company had had to meet during the past year, and took the opportunity of com p'umenting the company's factory manager. Mr. A. (i. Shirley, who had done exceedingly good work. Referring to a chart, he showed that the company had substantially increased its output of butter i each year, and, further, that the past \ year's make had amounted to about 1700 ' tons. Emphasising the high standard of, the company's product, he was pleased to inform suppliers that they had been j awarded a diploma and gold medal at the recent Panama Exposition. Dealing with the share question. Mr. Thompson stated that out of 1100 odd suppliers no less than 1025 had token up their quota of shares, and all shares offering had been repurchased from those giving up dairying. Further, a total of As,Bßo shares had been issued to date. Owing to the expansion of its business in the Lower Waikato the company was now building a new factory al Tuakau, capable of manufacturing 1000 tons of butter annually. Provision had also been made for extensions if necessary in the future. The necessity for a representative from the Tuakau district therefore became imperative, and Mr. Dynes Fnlton, chairman of the Tuakau Town Boaid, had that day accepted a seat on the directorate. The Waikato Dairy Company was undoubtedly one of the most progressive and solid 'institutions of its class in the country. Progress of the Waikato.

Mr. J. W. Ellis. Mayor of Hamilton, briefly welcomed the visitors, lie stated he was proud of the progress of the town. Last year building permits had been issued by the borough, representing a value of £52,000. Hamilton was very proud to have in its midst the headquarters of such a progressive company as the Waikato Co-operative Dairy Company, Ltd. He concluded by referring to the spirit of loyalty which existed in the Waikato. and to the great importance and marvellous progress of the dairy industry. (Applause.) Mr. J. A. Young, M.P. for Waikato, offered them his congratulations on the progress which had been made during the current year, and remarked on the fact that the turnover had increased by £116,000. He wished the company every prosperity in the future. Mr. R. ¥. Bollard, M.P.. Raglan, expressed surprise at the rapid growth of the company, and congratulated the suppliers on the excellent result of tho past year's business. , Mr. K. Clifton, Te Awamutu, late New Zealand Commissioner at the Panama Exposition, expressed hit gratification at being present. He stated that he had been associated with the Waikato for over a quarter of a century. The conditions now were vastly different from those existing years ago. He congratulated the company upon the establishment of the home-separation system in the face of opposition, and pointed out that, it had brought into use large areas of otherwise neglected lands. He considered that few of them understood the immense possibilities of the district. The development which could be obtained was really beyond conception. He referred to the fact that be had been the Dominion's representative at the Panama Exposition, and congratulated the company upon gaining a gold jiiedal. .Referring to America, Mr. Chiton said that the attitude of the mass of the people was favourable towards the allies. It did not matter to them which one was going to smash the Kaiser, so long as it was done. (Laughter.) Mr. Clifton considered that NewZealand should send a commissioner to New York to represent the country 011 the same lines as the High Commissioner in London. The markets of the Eastern States of America should be catered for now that the Panama Canal was open. Success of the Company.

Mr. Wm. Goodfellow, managing director, was greeted with three cheers on rising to epeak. He stated that the past season had been another record, both as regards output and payments to suppliers. The outstanding feature of the past year's business had undoubtedly been the marked improvement in the quality of all butter exported. This satisfactory result had been attained by the introduction of the cream-grading system, and by paying according to grade. Continuing, Mr. Goodfellow stated that the company had lost some 20 suppliers owing to grading second, but suppliers must recognise that such action wae entirely for the benefit of all concerned. When conditions were again normal, margarine would be a severe competitor in Europe; something like 5000 tons of this substitute were now used weekly in Great Britain alone. Mr. Goodfellow stated the directors had decided to have cream tested thrice monthly, instead of four times, thus saving £170 a year. Tho advance payments made by the company during the past season for cream delivered on the daily direct basis, were: July, Is 4|d; August. 1* bid; September, Is 6id ; October. Is 4Jd; November, Is 3g; December, Is o|d ; January, Is o|d: February. Is 3Jd : March, Is 6|d; April. Is 6|d." Not onlv had these record payments been made, but also the sunt of about £9000 provided fcr payment of the jd lb butter-fat tax. In addition, continued the speaker, a substantial bonus would be paid at a later date, when the butter now in cold .store had been exported and sold. (Loud applause.) 1 he company bad not, he stated, drawn an excessive amount against butter in cold store, and was, therefore, working on a good sound financial basis, and taking no undue risks. The shipping position WU uncertain, but he had no hesitation in saying that hii company would take all cream offering during the coming season. Shipping was undoubtedly largely influenced hv political interests, and it wis to be expected that the present congestion would be relieved shortly after the return of the Hon. Massey and .Mr Joseph Ward. Referring to a circular i,,d bv the N.Z.1).A., dated March 21, 1917. Mr. Goodfellow «* lie regretted the necessity to contradict the statement contained therein, to the effect that his company had not adhered to the recommendation of the .South -Auckland Dairy Association. Mr. . H. Buchanan, chairman of the names Vallev Dairy Company, confirmed Mr. Goodfellow's statement. The speaker stated that his action in this matter was strictly honourable in every respect. When' dealing with the question of shares, the speaker referred to the fact that aj the company's annual meeting to bo lie ft in August; every shareholder would bo a dairv farmer, and he himself now held only 50 shares, being the number required to qualify as a director, I bo company, would therefore, probably be. more truly co-operative in this respect than any other similar concern in New Zealand. In conclusion, Mr. Goodfellow hear.lly thanked the suppliers present for their loyal support during the past season. Advice to Farmers. Mr. W. Dempster, Government dairy instructor, quoted figures with regard to the grading of cream. Eight factories had secured a percentage of over 92 per cent., and nine under 88 per cent., the majority of factories averaging under 92 per cent. Mr. Dempster proceeded to refer to the more important factors to bo observed on

the farm. He pointed out that whero the engine and separator were in the same room it was not possible to deliver milk in tho same condition as tlio cow save it, Ho also emphasised the necessity of proper ventilation in the separator room. Windows were not sufficient. Milk or cream should not bo handled in kerosene or benzine tins, and cattle should not bo allowed to wander round the separator room, as the quality could not be maintained. He pointed out that Auckland was now the leading province in coi nection with the dairy industry in New Zealand, and, finally, urged that a high standard of cleanliness should lie observed at all times. -Mr. W. B. Greville, editor of the NewZealand Dairyman, referred to the butterfat tax, and said that the British Constitutional rights had boon ignored in this connection. No tax could bo imposed on British people except bv authority of Parliament, but. that authority had been assumed by others, and the sum of £300.000 extracted from the farmers' pocket*. The host argument he had heard against the butter-fat tax wa* that advanced by .Mr. McCombs, M.P., who referred to the fact that no income tax was levelled on incomes of £300 and under, vet the dairy farmer was penalised, though his income did not reach that figure. Mr. (Jrevillo added that the imposition of the tax was illegal in the opinion of the Chief Justice.

Mr. Joseph Clark, one of the directors, said that in his judgment the speeches that evening had prmed most inspiring, and he rejoiced particularly in the steady growth of the company, which was in it thoroughly healthy commercial condition. They were boiia-fide butter-producers. Ho believed in the principle of the shoemaker sticking to his last, and they should stick to butter. He emphasised' the necessity for providing good, warm, sweet milk to young sto<k. which would, bv such means, develop into a valuable herd. It was impossible to dodge Nature. He advised them not to be hoodwinked into silly notions that calves could be reared on the empty bucket. It had been said that "half tlie breeding was in the feeding," and young stock must be fed. Mr. H. 0. Cooper (Waihou), another director, spoke of the facilities provided by the company for buying all classes of goods through their own buying office in Auckland. He stated that he was a keen buyer, but had put a large sum through the firm in this wav during the season. This department of tile business was being economically and most capably conducted. It belonged to the suppliers, and he could confidently recommend them to place their order s with the company's Auckland manager. The cable address, "Expansion," would seem to be typical of the continued progress made. Mr. Shirley, factory manager, on rising to speak, was applauded bv the suppliers. He stated that the quality of the cream had distinctly improved, duo to the grading system. He gave suppliers some practical hints regarding the production of a first-class article. Voter, of Thanks.

Mr. W. E. G Willy (Turua), on behalf of the directors, proposed 11 vote of thanks to the staff for the faithful work done during the year. He also acknowledged the valuable assistance rendered by the officials of the dairy division. He emphasised the outstanding feature of the company's progress, showing bow the concern was conducted entirely on true co-operative lines. Speaking as one who had had some experience in naval matters, he expressed confidence in the overthrow of the German submarine campaign, and assured those present of the undoubted supremacy of the British Navy. Mr. Dynes Fulton, Ttiakau, appearing as a director for the first time before the suppliers, expressed pleasure at the manifest good-feeling existing between the suppliers and the directorate and officials. Ho stated that a wise step was being taken in erecting the new modern factory at Tuakau, which was the centre of an important dairying district, and he was confident that practically the whole of the dairy farmers in the' district would support" the company. He assured suppliers of his best services while on the directorate. Mr. Geo. Buchanan, chairman of the Thames Valley Dairy Company, thanked the directors for the opportunity of being present, and congratulated the Waikato Cooperative Dairy Company on its progress. Since filling the position of chairman of his company, he had frequently been in touch with Mr. doodfellow regarding matters of common interest, and hoped the present happy relations would continue.