THE DAIRY INDUSTRY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23213, 10 June 1937, Page 15

THE DAIRY INDUSTRY

FACTORY MANAGERS' SOCIAL MINISTER COMMENDS WORK SCHEME FOR IMPROVING PRODUCTS The annual smoke concert of the Otago and Southland Dairy Factory Managers' Association was held last evening in the Somerset Lounge, Savoy. Mr S. Bowman was In the chair, and among those present were the Minister of Agriculture (Mr W. Lee Martin), Mr A. J. Murdoch (chairman of the Dairy Produce Control Board), Mr W. M Singleton (director of the Dairy Division of the Department of Agriculture), and Professor W. Rlddet, of Massey College. The chairman extended a warm welcome to the visitors, and expressed the hope that their stay in Dunedin would be both profitable and pleasant. The first toast of the evening was that of "The Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society," which was proposed by Mr John Fisher, who commended the long service to the farming community of the local society. The speaker declared that no institution was more worthy of general and consistent support than societies of this kind. It was to be regretted that these organisations, which were deserving of every aid, financial and personal, so often langunislied for want of it. He hoped, however, that the Otago Society did not suffer as a result of such indifference. Its work in the improvement of live stock and farming practice could not be questioned, and for that reason the community should see to it that the society never wanted for adequate funds. Mr J. M. Fraser, replying on behalf of the society, said that In a producing country like New Zealand, agricultural and pastoral societies were very necessary, and he was pleased to be able to say that the Otago Society had many very good friends among the dairy factories of Otago and Southland. VALUABLE WORK Mr John Dunloo proposed the toast of "The Department of Agriculture. The department, with its work among crops, pastures, produce, and with diseases of plants and of animals, did more for primary producers than any other organisation. The speaker urged the necessity for greater expenditure on the • fight that was being waged against diseases of live stock. Money and effort were necessary, and he hoped they would be forthcoming. The life blood of primary production depended on them. Mr Lee Martin, in reply, said that the department was not one of the more spectacular branches of State endeavour; its methods were different from most, and frequently invited criticism. In fact, there were many who regarded the department as' a "Nosey Parker." Still it was a most important department, concerned with 90 per cent, of the country's exports. Everything else depended on those exports, and they had to be nursed and carefully watched. They had the men to do it, and those men were doing it well. He knew a lot of those men, and he was convinced that they recognised their work as a job that was outside and beyond politics, and they did it to the best of their ability. ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT The Minister commended the cooperative idea in dairy production and traced its development over a period of 40 years. He also remarked on the improvement in produce grading and quality and congratulated factory managers and assistants on the part they had played in the achievement of this result. It had to be said, however, that in the South Island there was room for improvement. He hoped that such improvement would be accomplished. There had been a "slipback " and that matter was giving the department some concern. Still, they hoped to get to the root of the prob* lem and help producers to get over the trouble. He had an idea that farm instruction would help, and he hoped to be able to convince his colleogues of the necessity for the establishment of a Dominion-wide scheme of farm instruction.—(Applause.) The Minister said he was convinced that such a system was essential to progress in the industry, and when it was finally accomplished he hoped that the Government would have the wholehearted support of farmers. The department was already at work on a definite scheme, and he was convinced that factory managers and assistants could not turn out a first-class article without a first-class raw material. The improvement had to be commenced on the farm, and he could assure them that it would be done. The department appreciated what the industry itself was doing, the Minister said, and he could only appeal to the younger men in the industry to carry on the excellent work that was already being done by their older colleagues. He commended the dairying industry to them as one of the most vital in the country. It had its ups and downs, of course, but the Government had done its best to stabilise the industry. GUARANTEED PRICE Although some dairy farmers were inclined to complain, the Minister said, he did not think there were many who would willingly go back to the old haphazard situation that obtained before guaranteed prices came into being. Good factory management, as was shown by the returns of the Hikurangi factory, which was not the most conveniently-situated in New Zealand, could produce good returns, and he was confident that the announcement that would be made shortly of the price for next season would be received with general satisfaction. He could not release the information at that meeting because the figure had not yet been fixed, but he had no qualms about the reception that would be given to the news when it was released. Mr T. C. Brash, proposing the toast of the South Island Dairy Association, made reference to the great loss that had befallen the association and the industry generally in the death of its president, Mr John Smith, its past president, Mr H. J. Middleton, and Mr H. C. Anderson. The toast, he said, was an important one, for it was this association which blazed the trail toi wider organisation in the dairy industry. Many of the older records had apparently been lost. It appeared to have been established in 1890-47 years ago. But although the records in existence went back about 30 years, there were in those records many interesting details. In the first place financial difficulties were not a new thing in the industry. The pioneers carried their full share of those difficulties. The South Island Dairy Association's financial affairs were very different from what they were to-d v when they had accumulated funds of £15.000. EXAMPLE OF PIONEERS Mr Brash said they would do well, however, to remember the men of the past who had carried the institution forward from 1890 to the present day. They had made a real contribution to wider co-operation. There were those who would never cease to urge that need of wider vision, the need of sinking individual differences for the common good. Why had the dairy industry lost all control of the marketing of its own produce? Was not the reason that they failed to unite, failed to follow the lead of men like those who established the South Island Dairy Association? They stood each on his own little hill of self-conceit and said, "I am sufficient unto myself," with the inevitable result. They were living in changing days, and whether the present trend was wise or otherwise, they were unable to stop it. But this could be said, that if there was any desire amongst producers to share in

the responsibilities of .controlling their own industry, that spirit which established the South Island Dairy Associa tion must be fostered. v. P Vialf Mr F. Meredith, replying on benaii of the association, paid a tribute to the loyalty of dairy company directors, nroducers and association officers, which had alone made possible the development of an organisation that was a power for progress and tor good in the industry. He expressed gratification at the possibility of a Proper system of farm instruction being instituted. FEELING OF UNCERTAINTY Mr A. P. Fleming proposed the toast of "The Dairy Control Board. tie said that cbnditions over the past 20 years in the industry left one with a feeling of uncertainty of what was the best method of handling and disposing of their produce. At the moment the Government had control of their produce and of the board itself. What little power the board once had had been taken from it by the Government but he did know that the members of the board were men of ability and integrity. They did their best for the industry and were entitled to the fun support and co-operation of everyone in the industry. .. Mr A. J. Murdoch, In response, said that the Dairy Board still had consider, able powers. They were not all shorn away, and the board was doing the best it could for the industry. It was. for instance, concerning itself with tne question of farm instruction, and provision had been made for £IO,OOO to be set aside for that purpose. ine actual details of the scheme would .in good time be disclosed by the Ministor Other toasts were:—" Dairy Research," proposed by Mr E. Linton and replied to by Professor Riddet; Factory Managers," proposed by Mr W. M. Singleton and responded to by Mr W. Bagrie; and " Guests,", proposed by Mr S. Bowman and replied to by Mr W. Hall. , L . . . A programme of entertainment, which was provided by Messrs Arthur Macdonald, Alfred Walmsley, E. Paris, C. H. Russell, and C. Oliver, was obviously appreciated.