THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3615, 26 June 1923, Page 17

THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

NATIONAL DAIRY ASSOCIATION li-KOji ouh Own Cobbbspondent .> PALMERSTON NORTH, June 19. Speaking to over 250 delegates at the National Dairy Association meeting to-day, the Chairman (Mr A Morton) said it gave him pleasure to note the continued progress in the dairy industry during the past 12 months. iie had remarked at the last annual meeting on the wonderful progress of the industry, which, it was gratifying to note, had continued steadily. Producers would realise the growth of the industry when they considered the fact that in 1922 45,820 tons of butter had been graded, and in 1923 this had been increased to 63,963 tons. The cheese figures showed a slight decline, the quantity graded in 1923 being 55,883 tons, as against 59.633 tons in the previous year. The dairy producers of New Zealand had every reason to be proud of the position taken up by the dominion in the export of butter, being responsible for 26 per cent, of the total imports of butter to England. The grading standards, he continued, had been on a high level, which had continually been improved, the average grading joints for dairy factories throughout New Zealand being 95 for the season. Referring to the conduct of the industry, Mr Morton said that in view of the importance© of the industry and the large quantity of milk obtained by milking machines, and with the increase also of home separation, the time had arrived when, there should bo a larger staff on the dairy division to impart instruction. There was not a place in New Zealand where adequate scientific research work was carried out, and what they required was an up-to-date and efficient laboratory. He was quite sure that any expenditure on research work would be amply repaid in the increased value of their produce. This was one of the most important matters they could consider as producers, and he hoped the conference would discuss this question with a view to something being done. With the improved financial position of the country there was some hope for thinking that the Government would be able to assist the project which he had outlined. Mr Morton also discussed the question of freights and market conditions. With regard to the former, there had been a falling tendency, and he saw no reason why additional benefits should not accrue (o the producers from a further reduction. The past season had been responsible for many irregularities, and the conditions on the Home markets were still for from being stable. This could be attributed to labour difficulties, the rate of exchanges in foreign currencies, which were going from bad to worse, and to other causes arising out of the war. In New Zealand they were still suffering from the effects of the land boom and slump, and industry generally had been unsettled and fluctuating. Mr H. E. Pacey (Palmerston North! referred to the necessity for popularising herd gort <bo T'O-I- industw Messrs O. W. Williams. Bell, M‘Cormack, n , ,i p. u-,.1 0., nspects of the association’s interior economy. mb ,i; . ti,„ return of the Hon. .J. B. Gow (Auckland), M , T ” 1 (Taranaki), and J. D. Brown (Wellington). A motion to br.M the annual meetings alternately in Palmerston North and Auckland was carried after considerable discussion. It was decided that the executive be requested to consider the question of representation on the Board of Agriculture and report to next meeting.

It was decided to pay the directors £1 daily additional to their hotel and travelling expenses, and to pay the chairman £l5O annually. Mr X. C. Brash spoke on advertising ihe dominion's products at the Empire Exhibition by means of a proposed levy of 2s per ton on butter and Is per ton on cheese, which would produce £9900 or £IO,OOO. After discussion, the scheme was recommended to the individual companies, the money to be collected at either end.

June 21. The National Dairy Association’s annual meeting was continued to-day. Several remits from the United Dairy Company dealing with the proposed reconstruction of the association by the formation of a new limited liability company, which had been deferred from the opening day, w r ere withdrawn in view of the decision to support the Dairy Control Board. The supporters of the remits were of the opinion that the time was not opportune for reconstruction, which would involve a change of name by the incorporation of the word “co-operative.” .It was resolved—“ That in view of the great importance to the dairy industry of the fullest scientific information being made available in connection with both the raw- material and the manufactured product. the Government be urged as soon as possible to establish a fully-equipped and staffed laboratory where research work can be carried out.”