DAIRYING CONFERENCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1920, 4 December 1890, Page 5

DAIRYING CONFERENCE.

A conference (convened by Mr T. Brydone, president of the Middle Island Dairying Association) of persons interested in the dairying industry was held on Thursday, in the Otago Stock Exchange. Mr Brydone occupied the chain and there were also present : Messrs J. Stevenson (Henley), R. Cuddie (Mosgiel), A. Cameron (Inchclutha), J. Cushnie (Wyndham), P. Jansen (South Dunedin), W. Pryde (Mataura), A. Moritson (Dunedin), J. Hurley (Kapuuga, North Island), W. Blackie (East Taieri), G. Gilroy (Stirling), G. G. Chick (Otara), J. Gait (Mararua), H. Duckmanton (Portobello), J. Meston (Dunedin), T. Craig (East Taieri), W. O. Watt (Kaitangata), E. Percy (Mihiwaka), and J. R, Scott (secretary). Mr John Sawers, Government dairy inspector, telegraphed an apology for his absence, and promised his support to any resolutions for the, benefit of the industry. The Chairman said that ifc was thought that, as a good many country gentlemen would be in Dunedin at the show, the present was a good time to meet and discuss the position of the dairy industry, and to present a report of what the, association had been doing during the period of fts existence. They had experienced considerable difficulty in getting the association started, as different factories kept hanging back, having evidently not made up their minds what to do ; but after a good deal of persuasion they had got, a sufficient number to join to enable them to form the association. He thought they would be satisfed that the association had been doing at least some good for the industry. A report which would be presented would explain very briefly what had been done. It would tell tho meeting what the association thought would be jfor the further benefit of the industry, and it would be for those who were most deeply interested to say whether their ideas were worth following out or not. He hoped that all those present would give what information and advice they could to the association, because they were, of course, desirous of carrying out any ideas that might be found at all practicable for the benefit of the industry at least so far as it came within their reach. They had very small funds at their disposal, but more might be forthcoming if it was required for further experiments in the way of shipping. He thought the principal points for them to consider were the carriage ef cheese and butter Home, and the disposal of it at Home. He thought they were satisfied now that the articles made in the colony were as perfect as it was possible to produce them. This was particularly so with cheese, which was despatched from the colony in good, sound condition, but unfortunately a quantity was found to be faulty when it got on the market ; and it was for the meeting to consider the matter of a more perfect style of conveyance than they had at present. The secretary would read a letter, written to the Minister of Agriculture, which would introduce the subject to the meeting.

The Sechbtaby read the letter mentioned, and the reply thereto, as follows : —

Dunedin, 25th Ootober 1889. The Hon. G. F. Eichardson, Minister for Lands. Bear Sir,— The Government and some of t'«e producers having now secured the services of cheese and butter experts, it may be anticipated that these articles will be manufactured more perfeotly than heretofore ; but, however well the article may be made, if it is improperly handled afterwards, the ultimate result will be no better than formerly. A great diversity of opinion exists as to the manner of shipment, and muoh doubt as to proper care being taken re temperature, &o. during the voyage. Some people, who are considered experts, say that butter should never be carried in the frozen chamber, and others say it should. Some say that properly made and seasoned cheese will carry ns ordinary cargo ; others say it will not. I was told by a captain of one of the Home steamers to-day that he had taken butter Home in the frozen chamber of the Oamaru sailing ship, a three months' voyage, and landed it so good chat [he was offered Is 6d a lb for it in London, having paid 7d for it here. Seeing, therefor*, that so muoh doubt exists, it has occurred to me that it might be of advantage to the colony if a reliable and Intelligent man with some experience of. butter and oheese were sent Home with a cargo, to keep a correct record of its treatment and oharge all through. He should be thoroughly conversant with the mode by whioh the butter and cheese were made, time and treatment to shipment, thence until it was in the hands of the consumer in London ; in fact, keep its history from the time the milk came from the cows until It was retailed. The shipment should consist of butter and cheese carried part in the frozen obamber and part as ordinary cargo. If you approve of the idea, you might see your way to take the matter up. The shipping oompanies would give a free passage, and the only cost would be the man's wages and expenses when in England. I will be glad to go more into detail should you desire ; meantime, I only wish to put the idea before you.— l am, &c, Thos. Bbydonb.

General Crown Lands Office. Wellington, 4th November. 1890.

Sir,— l have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 27th ulfc., suggesting the appointment of a reliable and intelligent man to make a voyage to England with sampleß of butter and oheeße, to be prepared in the colony, shipped, and foil in London under his immediate superv'sion. In reply, I have to state that the Government fully reoognise the importance of the dairy industry to the colony, arid I quite conour with your remarks as to the diversity of opinion whioh at present exists respecting the best methods of preparing, packing, and shipping butter for the London market. The general consensus of opinion seems, however, to point to the fact that butter will stand freezing. Mr Sawers says that the principal reason why New Zealand butter will not keep after it is unpacked is that the cowi have been fed on new pasture. I am inclined to attribute a good deal of the r.on-success of shipments of batter to this faofc, and I observe that some of the experts who were examined by the committee [last session referred to the tame subject. Seeing that there is so much difference of opinion on the whole question, the Government would be prepared to assist in the direction suggested by you, and I think the best course would be for the firms and individuals who may be interested in the trade to combine for the purpose mentioned, on tbe understanding that the Government would contribnte towards the expense. By this means better control and supervision could be exercised, and probably tbe lervices of a better man obtain^ fchanU the. Govern-

,ment undertook the duty. I shall accordingly be obliged by your informing me what the estimated cost of (ending a man to London would be, and sum the Government would be expected to contribute.— l am, &o ,

G. F. BICHARDSON, Minister of Lands and Agriculture. T. Brydone, Esq.

The Chairman mentioned that the matter had not gone further at the present time, as the association thought it would be as well to consult those who took an interest in the matter before carrying the idea any further. No doubt there was a great diversity of opinion as to the cause of the damage that their products sustained on the voyage. The committee of the association met at Port Chalmers a few days ago, and.having examined the chambers of one of the direct steamers, came to the conclusion that the want of ventilation had a great deal to do with the fact of cheese getting damaged while going Home.

The following report of the committee was then read by the Secretary : — To the President H.Z.M.I. Dairying Association. Your committee appointed on the 23rd inßt. to inquire Into certain matters beg to report as follows : The shipping companies have granted a reduotion of one-eighth of a penny per Ib on cool chamber freight for London, butter being #d and cheese being fd now. The association also secure a return of half the primage. The committee, with Mb Brydone, examined the cool chambers on board the .Maori and Matatua, and suggested some improvements, which ■were discussed, and wuich will ere long be adopted. The committee also pointed out the need for oheese going in a separate chamber to butter. Several companies have sent in guarantees of London shipments, the association being now in a position to guarantee 500 tons for London shipment. The committee have also been in communication with the Union S.B. Company and the railway authorities. The Union Compauy have indicated their willingness to reduce freights. The railway department has been asked to reduce railage on cheese and butter for shipment to grain rates. The committee were most kindly received, and they have every reason tj believe that the commissioners, seeing the value of the dairy industry as a means of settling the country, will do what they can to reduce rates.

Mr Scott said that Mr Stevenson, Mr Cuddie, and himself had waited on Mr Grant in reference to these matters, and Mr Grant was getting all details so as to lay the matter fairly before tbe commissioners.

Mr SrEVENSON remarked that the reductions already obtained in freight, primage allowances, and commission amounted to £2 Is lid per ton, and if they got the railage reduced to grain rates, which was fully expected, there would be a further saving on cheese shipped from Henley of 6s per ton. He had no doubt but that they would have the freight to London reduced by another §d, and that would mean a further saving of £1 23 6i per ton. Even with thats reduction the shipping companies would get freights equal to what was paid for mutton. This would come about if they could give sufficient guarantees to the companies. The Chairman did not think that any factories need keep back on the score of expense. He believed, however, that it was seen now that the association was doing some good, and that they were likely to get more, support.

The advisability of popularising the association by reducing the entrance fee from £5 waa raised, and it was suggested by two or thtee speakers that a sliding scale of subscription, based upon the production of the factories, should be adopted. On the motion of Mr Stevenson, it was agreed—" That the entrance fee for factories producing 40 tons and under be £2 10s, for those producing over 40 tons £5."

In the course of a discussion that followed in reference to the matter dealt with in the correspondence between Mr Brydone and the Minister of Agriculture,

Mr Pryde remarked that a good deal of the evidence that was given last session before the Dajry Industry Committee went to show that butter was spoiled in transit in the railways and on the wharves before it reaohed the vessels.

The Chairman said ithat the association had not formed any idea of what the expense of sending a man Home would be, but they wished an expression? of opinion from those present with regard to the proposal. If the Government would join in the expense he did not think it would come heavily on the association. He believed that a few pounds from each factory would be sufficient, and, as far as- the Edendale Factory was concerned, he would be prepared to give a liberal subscription.

Mr. Cuddie thought the idea of sending a man Honte in charge of a shipment was a very good one. He was of opinion that it was not possible that butter and cheese packed in the manner in > which it was packed in some steamers— a layer of cheese upon a layer of butter — could be landed in satisfactory condition. Mr Cushnie also approved of the project. With regard to the factory he belonged to, he might state that two shipments had been sent in different vessels at the same time, one going as ordinary cargo and the other in cool space, and these arrived at Home and were sold about the same time. There was only a difference of Is in the price, so that the shipment which went as ordinary cargo proved the most profitable. Referring to the matter of defraying the expense of sending an expert Home, he was of opinion that ifc -was not advisable to try and entail any more expense on the factory companies or private individuals connected with the industry, because he thought they were the only part of the community who had not yet derived any real benefit from the industry, as there were very few who had derived any profit from their transactions, and he thought the Government, in older to foster the industry aqd in the interests of the community, should bear the expense of sending an expert Home.

On the motion of Mr Cushnie, seconded by Mr Pryde, it was resolved unanimously — ' : That the Government bo requested to pay the expense of sending an expert Home in charge of a trial shipment of cheese and butter, as suggested in Mr Brydone's letter to the Minister of Lands of the 27th October."

The Chairman said that another matter deserving of consideration was the advisability of getting cool waggons for the carriage of butter and cheese on the railway. It was a matter that did not require much discussion, because all were agreed that it waa absolutely necessary that cool or insulated waggons should be provided.

'Mr Stevenson remarked that Mr Grant told him that when notice was given every care would be taken to provide box waggons.

Mr Gushnie also testified to the readiness of the railway officials to do what was possible.

The Chairman admitted that, but said it would be better to have insulated waggons, as they had for the carriage of mutton.

It was resolved—" That this meeting consider it imperative to the proper carriage of produce tbat cool waggons should be provided, and that the Railway Commissioners be asked to provide them."

The Chairman read a communication to the effect that the Canterbury people were ready to join in urging this request. After a short discussion it was resolved— " That the Railway Commissioners be requested to reduce the rates on produce for shipment to the same as grain rates." _ The Chairman directed attention to a letter, signed by Mr Blackie, which appeared in that morning's Otago Daily Times, with regard to the Bale of butter in Dunedin. He thought it was mow a matter for tbe farmers in the neighbour*

hood than for the factories represented at that meeting. Mr Scott thought that the establishment of a produce market in Dunedin would to a great extent remedy the evil complained of. Mr Coshnie thought it would be well for the meeting to take the subject up. He believed that if the Grocers' Association were waited upon by a deputation, and had the evil of ticketing dairy produce pointed out to them, some remedy might be obtained. Even with a glutted market, he did not see why butter should be sold so low as 4d a lb.

After further discussion on the point, it was resolved, on the motion of Mr Cushnib, seconded by Mr Chick — "That a committee, consisting of Messra Stevenson, Caddie, Blackie, and the secretary, be appointed to wait on the Grocere' Association re their treatment of dairy produce." Mr Cushnie mentioned the matter of the high rates of insurance charged upon dairy stock, so that the committee of the association might endeavour to secure some relief for the factories, and also expressed a hope that the committee would request the Railway Commissioners to grant free passes to persons wishing twice a year to attend the dairy conference. Mr Percy inquired whether small farmers would be permitted to ship butter through the association, ;-' And the Secretary replied tljat ho would do anything he could to help any small farmer without any charge beyond actual expenses. It was, of course, expected that as many as could would join the association as soon as possible. A vote of thanks to the chair and to the office-bearers concluded the meeting.