OUTPUT FALLS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22435, 3 June 1936, Page 16

OUTPUT FALLS

DAIRYING IN NORTH EFFECTS OF BAD WEATHER COMPANIES' CONFERENCE [BY TELEGRAPH —OWJf CORRESPONDENT 1 WHANGAREI, Tuesday The 23rd annual conference of North Auckland dairy companies was held today, when almost all tho dairy companies wore represented. Mr. F. E. Cullcn presided. In his annual review Mr. Cullen stated that, of the 19 factories doing business in tho Auckland Peninsula, 12 were down in production of butter as compared with last year,' and seven showed an increase. The net result was a fall of 4.34 per cent for the period from July 1, 193 d, to April 30, 1936. Bad weather was one of the chief causes of tho fall. "There is no finality in any of the questions before the industry as there is no definite knowledge from the Government, or the Dairy Board, as to what is to be done," said Mr. Cullen in dealing with labour and other problems. "It is only right that we should give the .Government time to put its ideas into operation," added Mr. Cullen.

Chairman Resigns

When members of the executive were being eleoted Mr. Cullen said he wished to tender his resignation, as he was not being supported by his own company at Maungaturoto relative to the placing of orders with the National Dairy Association. "I feel that I have utterly failed in carrying out my duty to the executive in this matter. I wish my co-directors were here to take my words to heart. Our company progressed and I have been with it for 20 years," said Mr. Cullen. Members endeavoured to have Mr. Cullen recongider his decision, but he would not agree to that course. The meeting passed a hearty vote of appreciation of his work for dairying in North Auckland. A similar vote was accorded to Mr. W. P. Begg, who aiso resigned owing to pressure of business. The election of the executive resulted:—Messrs. L. Webb (Hikuraugi), E. G. Appleton (Northern Wairoa), H. Neal (Albertland).

Oream Grading Problem Mr. F. Reynolds moved that where, through flood conditions or other exceptional circumstances, tho collection of cream was delayed so that suppliers were penalised in grado through no fault of their own, payment should bo made for such cream at least on the basis of first grade, such payment to be at the discretion of the directors o£, the company concerned. "Under the regulation, if we paid in excess of the grading we would be liable to a fine of £SO, ' said Mr. O. B. Michie (Kaitaia). He thought the motion would be a retrograde step and would allow many loopholes to creep into tho Grading Act, which was very sound. The companies had power to make a compassionate allowance for flood damage. Mr. W. Grounds (Hokianga) said his company had experienced the same difficulties.'lt met tho position in its own way and it considered it did not conflict with the spirit of the dairy regulations. „ _ „ The chairman, Mr. I). E. Cullen: Would you explain exactly what you did? Mr. Grounds: No. We met the position without conflicting with the spirit of the regulations. The motion was defeated,