NATIONAL DAIRY ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2934, 8 June 1910, Page 9

NATIONAL DAIRY ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL REPORT.

WELLINGTON, May 31

The tables and figures contained in the annual report of the National Dairy Association disclose one of the most successful years since the incorporation of the association. The figures also indicate the position of the association and the general expansion of the dairying industry throughout the Dominion. The actual turnover for the year amounts to £182,023 8s lid, which is a great increase on any previous year's transactions, and the above sum is exclusive of advances made on consignments of dairy produce. The profit and loss account shows a credit balance of £1206 17s Bd, a net profit for the year of £658 13s 4d. The membership roll has increased during the year from 109 to 115. Seven cooperative and one proprietary factories, and three exporting firms have become members of the association. Two co-operative dairy companies and three exporting firms have retired, the former through reconstruction, and the latter having given up business in the Dominion. The first consignment of new season's butter was forwarded per s.s. Corinthic from Wellington on September 9, arriving in London on October 19, and consisted of 3441 boxes. The shipment per s.s. Turalana leaving Wellington on December 16, 1909, consisting of 60,969 boxes, was the largest of the season, and constitutes a record for a single steamer. The first shipment of this season's cheese was taken by the s.s. Arawa, which left Wellington on October 7,1909. It consisted of 6290 crates.. The heaviest consignment of the season was shipped per s.s. lonic, on December 2,1909, and consisted of 18,887 crates. The season now drawing to a close has in many directions been conspicuous as compared with previous years. It is impossible to deal with these features in detail or exhaustively. A comparison with the outputs of-, other countries may be of interest as indicating the growth of the industry in those countries that may be regarded as competitors with the Dominion. The exports of butter from the following countries for the last three years have been as follow :

1907-8., 1908-9. 1909-10. Tons. Tons. Tons. Argentine ... 2,851 3,500 3,715 Commonwealth 20,841 14,620 27,210 New Zealand... 12,824 14,642 16,851 The Argentine shows an increase of 215 tons, equal to an advance of 6.14 ,per cent. Australia denotes a strong recovery in its export trade, being 12,590 tons in advance of the previous year, equal to an increase of 86.11 per cent. The increase is over 100 per cent, in the States of Victoria and Queensland. New Zealand has increased by 2209 tons, equal to an advance of 15.08 per cent. The expansion in Australia is conclusive proof of the Commonwealth's potentialities when favoured with good seasons and conditions adapted to the manufacture of butter. The prominent position attained by the dairying industry in the Southern Hemisphere and its value to the individual and the State is gratifying. It may, however, be suggested, adds the report, that such rapid development will have a tendency to reduce values to a lower level. This would be true if the papulation of the older countries remained stationary. It is increasing, with the result that the supply made locally is unequal to meet the demand. Hence some countries have become importers that were once exporters. ~ Others have reached the limit of their capacity in manufacturing, and we are face to face with new demands and fresh markets which can only be met by those countries that are in process of development and colonisation. The position at present is encouraging, and. the prospect for the producer was probably never better. Prices throughout the export season have ruled high for butter, but for cheese the level has not been equal to that of the previous year. Probably the main factor in obtaining good values is that with few exceptions the quality has given universal satisfaction, every shipment being landed in good condition, and showing a marked improvement on that of previous years. New Zealand butter is becoming better known . throughout the United Kingdom, and is being distributed In new districts, and thereby creating further demands'. As already indicated, the increased consumption of this article in Continental countries has Lad the tendency to keep up values, notwithstanding the marked. increase in the export from the Commonwealth and the Dominion. The report received on the New Zealand cheese has been on the whole exceedingly favourable. It is stated, "there still remain some complaints as to the quality and off-flavour. When, however, you consider the increased number of cheese factories this year as compared with previous seasons, and that the export" to

April 30, 1910. is 40.85 per cent, greater than that of the corresponding period of 1909, it is matter for congratulation that, the faults indicated are so few, and the general quality and condition when landed has been so favourably approved. In connection with the transit ol cheese, either by rail or coastal steamer, cor transhipment to ocean steamer, tha attention of factory <Ji*Vctors and managers is directed to the imperative, aecessity of strengthening cheese cratef to ensure delivery of the package at th« steamer's destination in the same condition that it .leaves the factory. This is in the best in&vsats of the producer, the maker. and WMR reputation of the Dominion. Many, factories still follow the praties of allowing the centre batten to bo too thin, insufficiently nailed, and in eoma instances without nails. If these d«w . fects were remedied it would the crate, minimise the risk of ■ and add to the marketable value of tha contents. The contract steamers during the past season have maintained regular, time-table dates. In the instances when' the due departure has been delayed, iT was due to the difficulty in getting iorMward dairy produce in time. for j shipment. The mail steamers have good passages throughout, and conseifi quently arrivals have been fairly sati&j -.p factory. A new shipping contract has '■■- been entered into by your executive with. ■;■- the present shipping companies for a further period of four years, a 6 from October, 1910. The rates of freight wilf _i be the same. The new contract, however, " . provides for the payment of coastal % freight by the shipping companies even t if it shculd exceed 10s per ton, the ar- 'v. rival in London on the second week of ~ November each year of a contract % steamer in place of the third week in December, and the despatch of a weeklyj steamer during the months of December \ and January. The last proviso is tha beginning of a regular weekly shipment. Which will be necessary in the very near . future, if the industry maintains ita ;' present rate oT development." *