DAIRY CONFERENCE

Southland Times, Issue 18962, 8 June 1923, Page 6

DAIRY CONFERENCE

SOUTH ISLAND ASSOCIATION. (Special to the Times.) DUNEDIN, June 7. The annual meeting of the South Island Dairy Association was continued to-day, Mr H. J. Middleton being in the chair. Mr Bowmar (Waitaki), moved the following remit: That the Dairy Division undertake the testing of butter for water, one box in each churning. The mover said that during the past season cabled advice had been received that butter, some time after landing, had been found to be excessive in moisture, and the advice asked for an allowance, otherwise legal proceedings would be taken. It would greatly facilitate matters if all churnings were tested for moisture. He did not doubt the figures supplied from England, hut it would assist exporters greatly if the Department undertook to test all churnings. Mr W. H. Singleton supported the remit, and stated that the Department, had tested more butter last year, almost doubling their figures. The remit was carried without further discussion. The Waimate Company proposed that, in view of the extensive and increasing dairy interests in South Canterbury, that another representative be added to the- executive and that he be from South Canterbury. The ‘Chairman said that provincialism did not exist on the executive, and all members were out for the benefit of the industry. The increase in the Canterbury products, said the Waimate delegate, entitled Canterbury to another representative on the executive. The Chairman said that the meeting could decide whether another representative should sit on the executive, and he asked them to vote on the matter. The Conference carried a resolution that another representative be added to the executive, and that the seat be occupied by a Canterbury man. The election of the new executive member was held over until n’ext year, the Canterbury delegates assenting to this. The remit, moved by the Wairuna Dairy Company, that the Association approach the Government with a view of getting a reduction on the excessive freight on butter and cheese a? at present charged by the Railway Department wes carried. The Chairman said that the special committee set up to endeavour to obtain reductions in railway freight had achieved nothing. They had called upon the chiefs of the Railway Department, who were very sympathetic, but who did not allow their sympathy to assume any concrete shape. A motion was tabled by Mr J. J. Fisher as follows: That it be a recommendation to the railway committee to tabulate the figures given, and that the Association direct a copy to every factory with a request that the directors pass a resolution calling upon the Government to review the figures and make a substantial reduction, and that a copy of such resolution be sent to the Minister of Railways and the respective members for each district. Further, that in the circular to the factories they should be requested to ask every supplier to take the matter up and communicate directly with his member of Parliament. The Woodlands Company moved that in future the Awards Committee be the executive of the Association, with power to add to their number if thought desirable. Mr M. Timpany moved the remit which was seconded by Mr Ross. The former said his company had no desire to interfere with the managers. A good manager should be retained by factories. His factory was against youths coming in and demanding the highest wages. Mr Mackrell, one of the Awards Committee, said personally he would be pleased if the remit were carried. Many of the previous speakers did not know the work entailed by the Award Committee. Mr Fisher said that if the remit were carried it would add considerably to the, work of the executive. The Chairman said that he would be pleased if the remit were defeated. He moved an amendment that the fighting of the awards be handed over to the Employers’ Association. The amendment was lost, and Mr Fisher moved -a further amendment that the Awards Committee be appointed by tho ; executive. This was carried on the voices.