THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2779, 19 June 1907, Page 9

THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

AN IMPORTANT QUESTION. (Fbom Oob Own CobbesfondentT) - - WELLINGTON, June I*. Mr J. G. _ larkness, secretary of the National Dairy Association, who returned from a visit to Sydney yesterday, had an opportunity while there of discussing some Blatters of importance to the dairy industry with those in authority. Through the courtesy of the New Zealand Tourist Office in Sydney he was enabled to interview the Hon. S. W. Moore (Minister for Mines and Agriculture). The dairying industry was discussed ip its varying phases. Mr Harkness was principally concerned about finding out the views of the New South Wales department so far as the compulsory grading of produce is concerned and to endeavour, if possible, to induce the Minister to bring his State into line with New Zealand. Mr Moore admitted that compulsory grading in New Zealand had been productive of eminently satisfactory results, but. unfortunately there. . pas ._ ■ class in New South Wales which objected to the adaptation of the system: and the Government, probably as a' matter of -expediency, had Allowed, things to go on in the old way. This, he said to a Post reporter to-day, was to be regretted, because the Produce Exchange in London had passed a resolution declining to accept graders' certificates as final in future, and that where the buyer has reason to refuse a certificate he may submit the matter to arbitration. In plain English this means that " forward " sales will be greatly interfered with, and if something is not done by the Government to counteract the effect of this move and have its certificate generally recognised producers will be placed in a very unenviable position, and where values have dropped after "forward" sales have been effected may, on the slightest pretext, be forced to accept much lesser rates than they had originally bargained for. Therefore, because the Australian States interested in the dairying industry fail to do the right thing, New Zealand, through no fault of her own, is made a sufferer. Mr Harkness has brought the matter under the notice of the Hon. R. M'Nab (Minister of Agriculture), and suggests that the Department of Industries and .Commerce should get in touch with the High Commissioner and request him to get the Produce Exchange to discriminate between the certificates of quality given in New Zealand and those from the Commonwealth. He quite recognised that occasionally a line of produce may get away from the colony in a condition not quite up to standard, but these are only the exceptions which prove the rule. He thinks the Government should immediately appoint a competent grader to act in London as adjudicator in cases where differences of opinion arise "between buyer and seller. He would be an independent authority, free from any outside influences. Mr Harlmese also inquired into the rates

of freight* which will 'probably be charged Australian shippers next season. No arrangement had been made up to the present, and the general opinion was that rates considerably in advance of those ruling last year would be charged.