The Dairy Industry.

Opunake Times, Volume VII, Issue 321, 5 October 1897, Page 4

The Dairy Industry.

PROGRESSIVE PROPOSALS. (New Zealand Times.) A deputation representing the New Zealand National Dairy Association waited on the Hon. John McKenzie in reference to the carriage of dairy produce to London. Mr Foreman (Hawera) pointed out that the season was just commencing, and that it was absolutely essential that there should be a fortnightly delivery of New Zealand produce at Home. Efforts had been made to secure this, but the shipping companies had refused to make any promise in consequence of the effort of the recently set up Freight Reduction Committee to secure a reduction in wool freights. The agents of the companies averred that as things stood now they did not know whether they would be able to load their ships or not, and the dairy farmers would have to wait until some settlement was arrived at. Mr Connett (New Plymouth) said there was no New Zealand Shipping Company's boat going Home before the 25th November. A Shaw, Savill boat was time-tabled for October 9th and another on November 6th. What the farmers desired was an assurance of a regular fortnightly service. _ The dairy industry was a growing one and it was of considerable importance to the colony that it should be fostered. If Ministers could see their way clear to eventually take,up the question the industry would be placed on a sound basis and would soon make marked progress. Mr Booth (Carterton) said it was very apparent that undue pressure was being put upon the dairy industry with the object of crippling it. If the Government would take charge of dairy produce that was intended for exportation and make arrangements for shipping it, it would, he felt satisfied be a step in the right direction. The salvation of the small farmer lay in the dairy industry, Mr Cameron said that what the deputation wished to impress upon the Minister was the desirability, if the Cabinet approved, of calling tenders for a fortnightly service in place of the San Francisco mail service. A subsidised company would meet the mail requirements as well as those of produce. There was no reason why a boat should not reach Home in 34 or 35 days. Some merchants would, no doubt grumble about the abolition of the San Francisco service, but a delay of two or three days in the matter of mails would not be very serious. The fact that the Government handled the whole of the produce of the colony would assist in letting of tenders for a fast service because a guarantee could be given as to the quantity of produce likely to be carried through certain months of the year. Mr Mac Ewan placed what he termed a radical but comprehensive scheme before the Minister. He said a proposal had been discussed that all perishable produce should go through Government cool stores. This would not interfere with vested interests, as might be supposed. Government inspection could easily be exercised in order to secure uniformity in quality. He pointed out that New Zealand farmers did not expect the companies to carry their produce at a loss, but when they knew that Australian produce was carried at a lower rate than New Zealand goods were by vessels trading in these waters, they naturally wanted to know why it was so. Were cool stores established and tenders called for a fast service, shipping companies would be compelled to keep their vessels up to date, in order to comply with latter-day requirements. The Hon. Mr McKenzie said it appeared to him that the deputation had two objects in view. One was that they wanted immediate assistance this year. The other referred to a rather comprehensive scheme, which required consideration. At the present time it cost New Zealand £7OOO a year to find cool storage for butter and produce, and thiß was practically a present to the butter makers of the colony. He did not suppose it would cost very much more to provide such cool storage in the various ports as would be required. Of course there would be opposition to making storage compulsory, but it would be necessary in order that the Government could give a guarantee to the shipping contractor. The most important question now was what could be done to assist the farmers this Beason ? Not only the North but the South Island people were in the same plight. The shipping companies were without a doubt standing in their own light, and if they were going to persist in that kind of conduct the Government would have' to come to the rescue. He did not mean that as a threat, but he did not expect the settlers were going to knuckle down to the companies ; they would take means to protect themselves. He would place the matter before Cabinet as soon as possible. So far as the future was concerned the Government had views of its own with regard to a scheme but he Could not say whether it would secure the necessary legislation desired. It would no doubt communieate with the shipping companies and endeavor to make some arrangements for this season which would possibly meet with the wishes of the deputation . After some further discussion, the deputation thanked the Minister and withdrew.