DAIRY CONFERENCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2207, 18 June 1896, Page 14

DAIRY CONFERENCE.

Business was resumed at the Dairy Conference in the Chatnbßr of Commerce on th« 10th, Mr J. M;u:G bbon baing appointed to the chair.

At the suggestion of the Chairman, a hearty welcome was accorded Mr J. D. Ritchie, Secretary to the Agricultural department, who was present.

Mr Scott (secretary to the association) asked tbe meeting to direct the committee as to allowing the Farmers' Association of Akaroa to become' members of the association. It had been held that they would only allow factories and individual farmers to 00-operate with them, but it would help them to concentrate business and gather in shipments of Canterbury cheese and butter better than in the past if the Akaroa Association were allowed to join them.

On the motion of Mr Duncan, seconded by Mr Isdale, it was resolved—" That the Farmers' Association of Akaroa be allowed to join fts members."

A PBODTJCE BEPEESBNTATIVK IN LONDON.

Mr Ricohie was asked whether it was the intention of the Government to withdraw tha present representative at Home, or whether they intended to carry on his services.

Mr Ritchie said he thought that ab the last meeting of the conference here there was a recommendation made t~> appoint a representative. There were, he^hought, one or two namt-s submitted to the Government by gentlemen here, but there a emed to ba differences of opinion as to who should be appointed, and the Government having asked the Agentgeneral, to appoint a gentleman in London, he had appointed Mr Henry Grey. Tnis gentleman had been in office three or four months, and he had just ssnt in a report, part of which would, he thought, appear in the newt papers and the rest in tbe annual report. Mr Grey was new to harness yet, but there was a good deal in the report. He (Mr Ritchie) thought it was early yet to say whether Mr Grey waß a proper man or not for the position. He saw by tbe papers that some did hot think he waf>, bnt it was only proper that he should have a triul before an opinion was expressed.

Mr Finn said that this was a matter exercising the minde of the dairymen throaghout New Zealand, and it was a pity that Mr MacEwan was not present, as he was better acquaWed with the matter than he was. He had read Mr Gray's reports with a great deal of instruction. They contained a great deal of very valuable information, but still they did not* get to the bottom of what they were most interested in. Mr Grey at preseot had nothing to do with the commercial part of the business at Home. He knew fcbat many factorial in New Zealand were very sceptical as regards their account s*les, j and they would like to know how our produoe was dealt with at Home He was afraid they would not have the confidence in a lvp >it from Mr Grey on such matters as they would have iv the reports of a gentleman sent from New Zealand. Mr Grey's appointment was perfectly correct. He (Mr Finn) did not think that anyone present wished that Mr Grey's appointment ■hould be cancelled, bat he knew that; they -wanted someone appointed from this end. Mr Henbt thought that there were two points with regard to sending Home a representative. They needed a representative to inquire aud report as to the present methods of disposing ef produoe in London and, chiefly, , to ascertain whether there were any grounds for the dissatisfaction that existed with regird to account sales, and then, the question arose Would their representative be given any facilities for carrying out his work by the different parties handling their prokice in Lcndoup He moved — "That "the association appoint- someone to, if possible, investigate the modes of dealing with our produce in London, aud, if possible, report to this association whether there ware just grounds for tbe feeling that we did nob get account sales as we might get them." Mr W. Mackay seconded the motion. Mr P. Mac Gibbon : Mr Grey simply reports on the condition in which our produoe arrives in London, And how it is taken care of. He has nothing to do with the commercial part. Evi- j dently the members of the conference wanted someone who had authority to report upon that matter— a sort of inspector in the interest of the association. Mr Grey did not answer this need, aud we have the report of our secretary that Mr Grey's reports are not reliable. Mr Fcott : No, I did not say that his reports were not reliable. I said they were no nse. Mr Mac Gibbon : Well, if they are of ho use they are not reliable. The only difficulty I see in coming to a conclusion of this sort is the difficulty of getting a reliable person. Mr Scott said that the association had always been in favour of having a representative in London, and as soon as they were incorporated and got into effective working condition one of the thing* that they should do was to appoint a representative— not necessarily to sell the produce, but aimply to watch it and report. He might sty that he had alwayn been in favour : of tbe appointment of a representative, and had ! urged it so strongly that some thought that he wanted to make a billet for himself. He, how- | ever, had told the executive of the as»ociation that he would uot %o Home under any coisiderat ion, as it would not «uh liim to go Home. There was nothing to be ginned by having a man watching and reporting as to what went en as regards temperatures and that sort of thing : that oould be got from the logs of the ship?, or from their own correspondents. If they appointed a man, what they wanted was one wfco had the confidence jof the factory managers, directors, and cheese-makers here, and one who knew the condition of the produoe as it went Home, and who was thoroughly acquainted with the require-

ments of this colony. Suoh a men would be able to report as to what condition the cheese ! lauded in in London, and ab»o as to what I steps wete desirable to tako to improve that condition. He would also do all that the present Government representative was doing, and if the association concentrated their produce in one or two hands he oould supervite it and send his independent report to every factory consigning their produoe through the association. He would further be able to give the association information that they could rely upon— that waa to say • if they sent a good man, and they should not send anyone that they could not have thorough confidence in. There was such a man in the colony, and they prop&r thing to do was to send Home a man like Mr MacEwan — a man wbo would go Home as a Government man, and who would come back here aud report as to the condition of everything connected with the industry. It was not the slight sb use lending Home a. man who waa likely to be looked upon with suspicion by the British 'dealers, or a man who had not the absolute confidence of the whole of those engaged in the dairy industry. In mentioning Mr MacEwan he did not mean to say that there were not other suitable men, but Mr HacEwan would be a most desirable man if it was possible to get him.

Mr Kei.lt moved — " That this association engage some respectable firm at Home to handle the produoe when it arrives there, and also recommend the Government that Mr MacEwan be sent Home to watch and report on the sale of our produce in London."

Mr M os ley said there was » good deal in what Mr Scott bad raid. Some firms at Home handled Home produce as well as New Zealand produce, and what the association wanted was a man at Home wbo would receive the New Zealand produce aud handle it without coming into collision with other firms. It was quits evident to him that the first thing the association wantad was a proper place for the reoeption of the penßliible goods they sent Home. They were told by Mr MacE wan thab sometimes cheese and butber remained 16 days in the London docks mixed with other kinds of cargo.

Mr Scott stated that that only occurred owißg to a man not being able to take up his bills and pay to the bank. Usually, when the association consigned stuff to London it was cleared out of the dock very- quickly-. ' Nothing tbe association could do would prevent the produce from remaining in the dc cks when it was consigned to a weak man who was not able to take up his bills, -

Mr MosiiET : That shows the necessity of having a proper place whera it oan be properly cared for. He proceeded to say that he thought that they should adjourn the discussion of this matter until Mr MacE van was present, as he could give them very valu^kble advice. Mr Scofct had said that Mr MacEwan should be sent Home. He (Mr Mosley) quite agreed with ttmb if the association oould send him Home. They could not get a better man.

After some further discussion, it was resolved on the motion of Mr Mac Gibbon to adjourn further consideration of the matter until Mr MacE wan. could be present.

AN EXPERIMENTAL- STATION.

The next question on the Order Paper was " Whether the Government should be asked to erect and equip a dairy experimental station in the Sonth Island."

Mr Mac Gibbon asked if there was such a stition in the Nort'- Island.

Mr Scott replied in the negative.

Mr Mosley : Perhaps Mr Scott might be able to give us some information about the cost of such a station. , Mr Mac Gibbon : I don't think it matters much what the ess is to be. It is to be given to ns. Mr Scott : We passed a resolution left year in the direction of aoking the Government to start a station as soen as possible. Mr J. T. Ritchir said the department were trying to get some suitable land in the , South Island to erect an experimental station on, but they had not yet been able to get it. Ah soon as land could be got it was intended to erect a station. The Minister had fully concurred in the suggestion me.de by the association last year that there should ba an experimental station both in the North And in the South Island. It was also intended to have a dairy factory in connection with each station. This was a matter that would cot be lest sight of.

Mr Mac Gibbon: There is no use of passing a resolution on the subject then. Mr Scott : It might strengthen the Government's hands to pass a limilar resolution to that passed last year. Mr Kelly moved— "That the association ask the Government to erect and equip a dairy experimental station in the South Isl»nd." Mr Mosley seconded the motioD. He said there was plenty of land to be got for the purpose of an experimental station ; and ai the Government could taka land compulsorily, if necessary, there was no reason why it should not be done.

Mr Watte moved as an amendment — *• That the Government be recommended not to start an experimental station." So far as he could sea, the factories could get all the instruction that wa« necesKiry. Mr Duncan seconded the Amendment. He would rather take the money that it was proposed should be spent on an experimental stat-on ia the way of railway concessions, and so on. — (Applause.) Mr Most/EY thought it was hardly fair for dairy- factory managers to throw obstacles in the way of having a school for training farmers' eons »nd those who wanted to became dairy factory managers. If the country was going to make progress as a dairy country wo must have young men properly trained. Mr MacEwan bad said tbafc tbrro were men in the factories nol; fit to b& there, and uatil they had properly-brained men they could not get the best results.

The Ohaibman said he could not accept the amendment, as it was a direct negative to the motion.

Mr Dickie said they were told by Mr Macßwan that there were other things that required attention besides properly-trained men in the factories. He also "Mentioned that 75 per cent, of the cows were not fit for dairy farms, An experimental station would not only be a cheese factory : it would also serve

the purpose of training young psople in tha' management ot a dairy farm. Mr Milne (Wyndham) said there was no doubt the Government h*d done a great deal for the dairying industry, as far as lie oheeij) factories were concerned, but they did not - start at the foundation, and he thought that ari experimental station would be a very graat adr vantage. No doubt there would be expert* meats with the very best class of stock kept for a profit, and then, on the other hand, tixef woulcl have the Government experimenting with the proper sorts of food. He considered that they were only in their infancy as far M dairying was ooncerned in New Zealand, and they must adopt a very different practice in future, feeding and housing their stock better in winter. He thought experimental stations would save a > great deal of trouble- andexpense.

Mr P. M 'Gibbon thought the proposal wM foe a kind of kindergarten in a Urge way* It had been pointed out that it would be a training for our young people— improving their knowledge as to the proper lorb of cowi for d»iry purposes, A great number of animal* were kept milking at great loss to the owners through want of knowledge. He thought the Government speot money in many ways much more foolishly ; indeed, he did not think it would ba foolish to spend in this direction, fox it would be in the interest of many of thi young people if such a school were carried on on proper lines, and he hoped the Government would ace its way to carry oni the scheme, and nob merely keep it steadily in view. The motion wag carried, four voting against). * CHKAPEB TrAILACfE. Me Cari/jton moved—" That it be a strong recotnmtsudnfciou to the Minister for Railways that the rates on d»iry produce should be 7a 6d per ton up to 25 miles, and 10s per ton np to 50 miles, and 15.1 per ton for 100 miles and over " This would be on a graded scale, and delegates well knew that the principle of gradation ran through all legislation. He thought that the exo»ssive rates they had at present to pay on dairy produoe out of all proportion to the rates on other goods, and if « farmer or two clubbed together to charter a truck to take bullocks to town they got such ft truck for 255, but if. they filled the trnck with cheese it would cost them £,6. Yet be thought the ooßt to the department was very little different.

Mr Mac Gibbon "thought the cheese' and dairying industry of more importance than the cattle, and the Government should be requested' to reduce the rate*;, to the same rate ss for grain. He kuevr the reason of the higher, charge. He had had a conversation with the Minister on that subject, and his argument was that because they got more for dairy produce they should pay more foe freight.' He said they made concessions for grain beoause grain was of much mure value. However (continued Mr MacG-ibboo), as they Vero to depend motfl on dairy produce than on grain for he thought the Government should make every effort to give farmers every facility to send their products to London. If it paid the Government to take wheat at Us 8d he did nob see why they could not take cheese at the same rate, and it would be a great boon to farmers ii they did so. He suggested that the motion should be— "That dairy produce should he carried at thesame rate as grain." The ratt would then be, say from Gore to. Dunedin. about Us per ton instead of 22i 6d, the present charge. Mr Carltou withdrawing his motion in favoot of Mr MecGibbon'e, the latter's was put to, the meeting and carried.

CHEAFEB OCEAN FHKIGHTS.

Mr Scott read a motion passed at a previom meeting on this subjeob, and remarked that the dairy indu»try could not do muoh by itself against the shipping ring— for each it actually was ; but if they could enlist the sympathy of the meat trado, and bring about; coma sorb of amalgamation, and get the Government to ass'st, something might be done. They had, however, a hard butbltf to fight by themselves. He had written to the Government, and th» reply was that they had their entire sympathy, bat at present were unable to move in the matter. He (Sir Scott) thought; it was abio- . lutely necessary that those on the land should move, and thus let the Government know what they wanted. Of course tho Government could only move by the people, and he iaw nothing very awful in expecting the Govern-, ment to run a line of steamers as they did a line of railways. This would bring othet people to their bearings. Mr MacGibbok moved—" Thab this association approaoh the conference of the meatexporting companies in the colonies with a view to their co-operation in securing a reduction of the ocean freights." They wire all interested exactly as they were themselves, and if they combined to bring pressure upon the shipping companies he thought ib would have some good effect. Let thorn put their shoulders to the wheel. Why should they not help themselves instead of always looking to tho Government. With the help of the great frozen meat companies— exporting the best oS the colonies' products — they could "hand-in-hand attain the object they had in view. II - they failed, then ifc would ba time enough to ask " the powers that be " to help them.

The motion being: seconded, it was pointed out by one or two speakers that "Vir Scott's idea of a Government line of steamers would simply lead to heavier taxation, and that as regardl co-operation on the p»t of the freezing corn* panics, ib wai no use trying to «ecare this, v to » great extent their interests were identical with those of the shipping companies, and, ia fact, that they had no causa to complain in Ha matter of freight. The motion was carried. —

COMPENSATION FOB CATTLE DSSX9O7KD. Mr Dukcan moved—" That it is deakaioe In the interest of the dairying- industry tbat cowj. pox be removed from the schedule list ot diseases."

A good deal of discussion ensued upon tha moving of the motion, it being pretty generally agreed that cowpox was not really a dangerous

Nimmo & Blaib's "Standard " BoxE Mantjbh v acknowledged to be the most sellable manure offered in the market. Its effects are marvel* locs,

disease, that it was one whioh scarcely any dairy oonld expect to escape, and that it was undesirable by its inclusion on the sohedule list of diseases, that investors should be empowered to harass dairymen on account of the disease appearing amongst their herds. The motion on being put was carried. Mr Duncan also moved—" That fnll compensation be' allowed in all oases where stock is destroyed, on account of tuberculosis, suoh oompensation to be paid out of the public funds." In speaking to this question aevnral delegates admitted the necessity of inspection and destruction of animals thus affected. c Mr Mac Gibbon thought 50 percent, oompesBaHDn would be sufficient. Mr Anderson expressed the opinion that there was "unnecessary alarm in regard to it ; Ute disease was being boomed. He cited a case where two doctors had v made investigations of 17 cases, and found that in only two of these /was there any danger in uning the milk of the infected cows. Ualexs the disease appeared in the udder the milk was perfectly good. He thought that the only obanca of stamping out the disaase was to allow full compensation for all slaughtered otcok. If only 50 per cent, compensation were allowed there would b3 a risk that farmers would hide infected cattle on the chance of their recovery. Tbe motion was carried with the amendment that compensation should be at ths rate of 50 per cent only. Mr Anderson moved—" That this meeting express; its d«ep regret that Mr John Sawyers has severed hiß connection with the Govern- ; merit Dairy department, ai it is' recognised j that he has done excellent work in promoting *nd forwarding the best interests of tbe dairy industry." — Carried. The conference will meet again at 930 this morning. i The Dairy Conference was resumed in the j Chambsr of Comrearceon Thursday morning, Mr John Stevenson being in the chair. A BOMB REPRESENTATIVE Mr Moslei moved — " Taat the Government be asked to send Mr J. B. MacEwan to England to examine our produce, as it landi, and to investigate and report on the handling and distribution of our produce in Britain." He ■aid it was the genaral opinion of dairy factory owners, directors, and farmers that in England the' New Zaalano* produce wes sacrificed. It was neither well handled, nor yet did 'producors get the price for it that they should gat ; and they were all of the opinion that better results ' might be obtained if there -was some one' at Home to look after the produce. Mr MacEwan had given such satisfaction in New Zealand that every factory aad every farmer would have confidence in him ; and he would probably come baok aud lay before the association a scheme whioh would enable produoers to do better in the fnture than they had done in the past. Mr M^oEwan's time would be very much occupied if a <7airy sohool was going to be started next year. But this mattar with regard to the distribution and handling of New Zealand produce in England was of even more Importance than the dairy school, because there was an increasing output in the country, and if it was not property distributed and handled producats would never get a proper price for their products. It was, therefore, wise to strongly reoommand the Government to send Mr MacEwan Home to do the brst he cculd for the dairy industry of New Zealand. Mr Milne seconded the motion, and asked if fending Mr MacEwan Home would involve any expsnxe to the association. Mr Moslby : The Government send him jHome. It is at the expanse of the country. Mr Angus asked if it was intended that Mr Uacfiwan should go Home permanently. • Mr Moslbt j It is only for one year. The Chaibman asked Mr MacEwan if he Would express his opinion on the matter. Mr MacEwan said the discussion had taksn rather an unexprcted turn with regard to himself. He could not help feeling pleased at the fia(tericg statements that had been made in reference to himself and bis work in New Zealand. He had taken a great deal of interest in connection with his work here, and htJ believed the country was oapable of tnrning out the very finest qualities of produce: If producers carried | , on tboir industries ou proper lines there wai a grand futuro for them, in spite of the prices | existing at the present time. In dealing with thii question of distribution in the British market, he Hi net want the association to think that because his name had been connected with the proposal to send Home a xepreseutative he was actuated by a desire to bs seub Home. Speakiog as the obief expert of the Dairy department in Now Zealand, and knowing the requirements of the colony, he certainly agreed with the mover of the motion. At the present time, although the work that he was carrying on here was cf^#tal importance to the prodacers, still he felt that there was much work to be done at the other end in connection with the matter of attribution. ■ There were solid reasons for believing that there was room for improvement in regard to the distribution of their produoe, and it was for the association, as well as the Dairy Industry department in New Zealand, to see if they could bring about a change for the better. The British market must be thoroughly catered to, and they must bring about conditions there in regard to the dintribution of their produoe that would reflect the greatest credit on the producers here. Only two months ago Professor Robertson gave evidence before a select committee of the House of Commons in Canada on this question cf the distribution of produce, and the Canadians had put forward a scheme to get better control of their goods and ensure {heir being fold as Canadian produce. If Canada Vras taking up this question" in spite of the trotter conditions that prevailed there as affectfog their dairy industry, it was wise for the colony to look more thoroughly' into the question. He did Dot believe that it would ever under present conditions to send Home our produce on consignment. Our great jpompetitors in butter— the Danes— had their representative in the London' market; and it was necessary, if we were to keep in the running with the keen competition at Home, that we must have a thorough jknowledge of the conditions of the British tpwnt, tad know ichftti other eoaotriei were

doing. He understood that at the meetings of the association latt winter they recommended [ the appointment of an inspector of New ! Znaland proJuce at Home. The matter had j been takeu up by the department, *nd although tho parson nominated bad nob been appointed, | still an appointment had been m *de. He thought that the reports which had been received from j Mr Grey were helpful to dairy produoers, bub at the same time it remained for the association to say whether they oovered the ground it j was intended they should cover. He thought ib was absolutely necessary that they should have further parfcioolara and most accurate information from the British market. There must bs someone there representing the department or the association "in whom they could have confidence. So far as he could learn the person 'who had' been appointed did not possess the confidence of the producers of this colony. He thought if someone were sent Home he should look into the whole conditions of the distribution of New Zealand produce in the London ma-kat. A represenbatfvo from the association could go to the old country, spend thr<?e or four months there, and see what other countries were doing and what was required to ensure satisfactory distribution of our produce. Arrangements might ba m&de t) meat the different boards of trade in differont ceutre I*,1 *, and th» res Mircet of New Zealand as a food-produoiog couatry could bo brought prominently before the m*rohanti of Great Britain. He believed in this way a great deal oould be done. It would be very helpful to the dairy industry in the colony if producers had a true report on the oondition of the produce on its arrival at Home. Mr Grey had nst yet. had sufficient time to get into every line of work that he intended to take up. If he were seat Home he could leave early in the spring, when the work of the department had been properly organised and put into running order, and come back in time for ths next winter's work, and in time to meet the association and give them as nearly as possible an acourate report for their consideration. — (Applause.) The only thing whioh might have to be taken up during the year whioh would prevent his leaving the country would be the establishment of experimental farms. He was doubtful whether the department would be able to start one during the coming year ; so that when the winter schools were over and tha work of the spring property organic** d there would be Dobh ! n# to prevent his taking h trip to the old country in tha interests of tha dairy indu-.try, if, the country thought that it was deairabls that he should do so. — (Applause.) Mr Mac Gibbon thought the statement made by Mr Maoßwan was very satißfaotory.' If that geatlfimau went Home ha would be the right teati in the right place. Ho kuew exactly wh«t the producers wanted, and he was in touch with them If he went Home he would be able to aid them a great deal and afford them a lot of valuable information.

Messrs Bruce and Henry also spoke in sup? port of the motion, whioh was carried unanimously.

LOCAL PRODUCE MARKETS.

Mr Dickie moved — '.'That ib is desirable that produce markets, with periodical sales for dairy produce, be established in the chief trade centres of the colony, and that our executive, along with Mr Mao Swan and the secretary, be a oommittee to make inquiries and report to the next annual conference as to the best means of attaining this object." Ha thought that if monthly sales were started here and Home buyers had representatives in the colony, producers might get very good prices for their produce on the ground, He did not iuteud that the motion should confliob with the previous one that had been passed. If Mr MacEwan went Home he might sound merchants as to whether they would send representatives here to purohase.

Mr MacQibbon had muoh pleasure in seconding the motion. He thought it ooAld not possibly clash with the proposed appointment of Mr MacEwan as the agent of the association in London. ' .

Me Bcott said if the association desired it the secretary or- anj representative of the association could take buyers to Port' Chalmers at the fortnightly shipments and dispose of the produce [there

Mr Mac Gibbon said that the suggestion made by Mv Scott did not carry oat the idea of Mr Dickie. The idea was that everything ohould be sold by sample. The buyers would agree to a price, and the cheese would be taken from the factory. Ths representative of the buyer* would see it weighed, &cd would take all responsibility and all risk from the moment it left the factory door. Mr ScoTr : That would still leave a difficulty. If the market fell the buyer might say : " The bulk of your cheese is xot up to cample." Bat if he law the cheese on the wharf or in the trucks the producer could say : " There is the cheese ; take it or leave it>."

Mr Macßwan said there might be something in the system suggested b/ Mr Scott. Cheeaa could certainly be inspected and the weights inspected, and sales made if desirable. One thing that buyer* complained about ia New Zealand was the scattered nature of the country, and they could only get a small dabble in each place, whereas in Victoria they qould buy in one large centre. If there was one large centre in New Zealand at which the buyers could meet, an obj csotion of the kind would be eliminated.

Mr Hbnby said factory owners might not care" to send shipments of cheese alongside of a steamer on the chance of selling their prodncj, became if they did not Jell they would be compellad to ship by that steamer. s Mr Scott : It all has to go forward. Mr Henry : But factory owners would like to hold if they could not sell to advantage. Mr Scott : Whea the London shipping 89a,son i<s on, you must tcoogoi6e that there is no us;; iv Ukiug the cheese b*ck to the factory. When there are 250 tons of cheese being shipped every fortnight there would be a respeotable lot for buyers to choose from ; and after the shipments here buyers could be informed when the Canterbury cheese was ready for shipment. I know the thing could be worked, and worked without expense.

Mr Moslbt thought that the matter could be dealt with a year hence. By that time Mr Ma.eEwa.D| if be woat Home, would let them

know the best method of telling. Tbe only difficulty of eelling here was that there might bs a riug of buyers formed. That was a thing that required to ba guarded against. The question was whether there would ba sufficient competition here for the producers to get good prices. Mr Mac Gibbon was of opinion that the system proposed by Mr Soott would place some factories at a disadvantage. If they could not drive a bargain they would have to send their cheese away. Mr Soott said that all tin chees9 had to go to Eng'aud ; but some factories sold at the factory, and if the syatom were adopted they would not get the benefit of a market. ■ Mr Kelly supported the suggestion of Mr Soott. The idea of haviug periodical s*les in the larger centres was all very well for factories like Edandale and Mafcaura, which were near a railway line, but many factories would suff.-r by the system of selling by simple, as buyers would not care to take delivery from an out-of-the-way fac.ory. A) all cheese had to go forward, he thought Mr Sjobl'is suggestion was worthy of consideration.

Mr Macalisthr thought that this question all hinged upon the incorporation of the association. If the association wera incorporated the whole of the output would come ii.to Duoecliu, and buyers would know it was bare. He did not think they would ran about to different factories.

Mr Bauce expressed the opinion that the idea of establishing markets wa.6 a very good one. The matter, however, was only to be considered this year and repaitsd upon at next annual meeting. He therefore supported the mjfcion.

Mr Dickie quite agreed with some of Mr Scott's remark* as regards present requirements His motion referred more to the future than the present. If these markets were onca established he presumed that there would be more buyers here. In the meant ras he thought Mr Scott's suggestion was a very good one for those factories who liked to avail themselves of it. He did not think the proposal by Mr Scott at all clashed with his mo&ioa.

The motion was then put and carried unanimously.

ENFORCING THE USE OF AERATORS

, Mr Duncan moved — "That it is desirable that the enforcemant of the use of aerators be left to the discretion of factory managers." The enforcement of aerators had given a lot of dissatisfaction last year. Ha therefore brought up the matter so as to get »q expression of opinion upon it.

Mr Bower seconded tho motion. He said if the Government had enforced the use of aerators it would have meant ruin to the dairymen in his district. . Mr He set said that if it was the intention of the notion to ask the meeting to condemn the use of aerators he would ask them to think well before they" carried ib. He would be very sorry to do away wita aerators.

Mr MacEwan asked Mr Bower to explain if th« condition of tha milk whioh arrived at the factory was the result of aeration.

Mr Boweb s&id that the dairymen seamed to aerate the milk in the cowsheds. Ou one occasion they left off using the aerators and the milk improved. Immediately they began to use them again the milk supplied to the factory was bad. In the case of a great many ■mall suppliers of milk he found it almost impossible to see that they used the aerators.

Mr MacEwan said in Canada it was found to be absolutely necessary to aerate the milk to obtain the best results in obce«e-m%king. If, however, milk was aerated in cowsheds under bad conditions tba milk might bo worse than if it were not aerated at all. Thar could not expect to geb good results when the aeration was nob carried on under proper conditions. Most satisfactory reports had bean obtained this year from factories where the system of aerating the milk had been adopted. The position tint ths department had taken up on this question was to urge upon the faotories to insist on the adoption of aeration. He did not think it was the intention of the department to make it compulsory. The department, indeed, . could not enforce it, - and he did not intend to take that stand, but, as he said before, only the best results in che^se-makiug could be obtained if the milk were aerated.

Mr Caelton sincerely hoped that the resolution would be voted against almost unanimously. It was almost universally acknowledged that aerating the milk gave the cheese a better quality.

Mr M os ley said he would vote against the motion, bacilli he considered that to pass it would ba detrimental to the dairy industry throughout the district. He thought that if inquiry were made it would be found that the fac&nes which were successf ul at the show had all used aerators.

The motion was then pu j and lost, only one voting for it.

CHEESE FOB EXPORT.

Mr Milne moved— "That it be a recommendation from thin association to tbe Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association that all cheese entered in the list for export be placad under the same conditions as butter — that is, under the care of the sooiety for six weeks or two months prior to the show." The motion was carried without discussion.

INSPECTION OF FACTORIES.

Mr Ibedale moved — "That when the inspectors visit a factory they be recommended to send a report as soon as convenient to the chairman of directors with regard to tha inspection of the factory." The motion was unanimously agreed to. COMPLIM ENTAK Y.

Mr Moslem mored — "That this association accord a hearty vot3 of thanks to Mr Macßwan for the careful and painstaking way he haß looked after the dairy industry oi New Zealand since he came here, and express a hope that the Government will retain his services as long as possible in c mneotion with the dairy industry." Mr Mac Gibbon saoonded the ni)tion, which was carried unanimously. Mr MacEwan, in acknowledging the vote of thanks, said he appreciated very .much the motion that had been passed. He might say, however, that the expreisions that had been made from time to tima throughout the country in regard to the work that had been carried on by him since he came to New Zealand had made him feel that he had tbe. hearty support el the.

Dairy Association without the formal motion whice had been curried. The meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the chairman.