CHEESE FACTORIES

Southland Times, Issue 21429, 25 June 1931, Page 4

CHEESE FACTORIES

MANAGERS’ UNION ANNUAL MEETING. The nineteenth annual meeting of the Southland and Otago Cheese Factory Managers' Union was held in the Labour Hall, Esk street, on June 19, 1931. The president (Mr W. Bagrie) presided over a large attendance of members. The annual report was as follows:— “It may be of interest to members to learn that it is now over 20 years sines steps were taken by the cheese factory managers for the purpose of forming an industrial organization, and in accordance with the minutes over 12 months had elapsed before the organization was finally registered under the I. C. and A. Act; hence we call this the nineteenth annual meeting. It will be of interest to quote the names of the first executive officers of 1911, which are as follows:—Messrs John Sawers, Edendale; A. Milne, Mataura; D. M. McDonald, Brydone; W. McKeown, Seaward Downs; W. Hislop, Wyndham; A. Clark, Mataura Island; G. B. Matheson, Aparima; A. Dobbie, Thornbury; J. O’Toole, Wright’s Bush; and C. Dutton, Tisbury. It is pleasing to note that a number of the first executive are with us to-day, still endeavouring with the assistance of others to improve the conditions of the cheese factory managers and the dairy industry as a whole. During the period of the past 20 years many a strenuous fight has had to be put’ up by the various executive officers and great credit is due to them for the privileges the managers enjoy to-day. Finance. “During the season the secretary has carried out the usual organizing work. Practically all factories in Southland and Otago have been visited with the result that five new members have been enrolled, and the sum of £127 received in members’ contributions, which is about £l2 less than we received for the previous year, but the assets in outstanding members’ contributions amount to £B2, and this is £23 more than last year. While some members are exceedingly slow in paying up their annual subscription, it can be said that 95 per cent, of the arrears are gilt-edged securities. The expenditure for the year amounted to £129 14/6, which shows a decrease of £24 3/- on the previous year’s expenses. However, the assets show that at the present time we have shares in the Labour Hall Company, £l2, outstanding arrears, £B2, and cash in bank, 17/-. This leaves the assets in excess of liabilities by £94 17/-. So that when all managers clear themselves on the books for this season there will be a substantial banking credit. It can be said that the year has been an exceedingly quiet one for the union so far as industrial matters are concerned and although we have not felt the brunt of the battle, a very strenuous fight has been put up on behalf of organized Labour both on the floor of the House of Parliament by Labour members and before the Court of Arbitration by the Alliance of Labour against the cut in wages as brought down by the Government, and it can be stated without fear of contradiction that had it not been for the vigorous fight put up by organized Labour against the vicious attack made by the Government on the wage-earning people there would be a different story to relate.

“A good deal has been said and written in the daily Press about the quality of cheese that has been produced in New Zealand, and whatever the cause may be the blame cannot be placed on the shoulders of the Southland Otago managers, for ever since 1926, at the London Show where competition was held, for the best made cheese in the British Empire, first honours have been gained by members of this organization. In 1927 and 1928, the Edendale Cheese Factory gained the first prize on both occasions, Ryal Bush Factory carried off first prize in 1929 and in 1930 the honours again came to Southland, which goes to show that in an all British competition the memoers of the Southland and Otago Union make the world’s best cheese. If our farming friends in the North Island gave more strict attention to the quality and less to yield and standardization, or in other words wanting something for nothing, then there would be no need for all this shouting from the house tops as to the quality and price of New Zealand cheese as compared with the Canadian article. However, members are again to be congratulated on the quality of the article produced. Our average grade over the season just closed demonstrates very fully that the adverse criticism of New Zealand cheese is not at the door of Otago and Southland managers. Nevertheless it is freely admitted that there is room for a vast improvement in the milk supply of a number of our own factories, and the executive is hopeful that something definite will be done in the near future in that direction. Our congratulations are extended to Messrs George Hicks, Thomas King, R. Cameron and W. Gaitts, winners of the first, second, third and fourth prizes at the London Dairy Show. Also to Mr Hicks on his appointment to the grading staff -of the Department of Agriculture. Many members have come to the conclusion that for some unknown reason Otago and Southland managers were not eligible for such a position, so the appointment came as a pleasant surprise. During the early part of the season the executive met the Employers’ Awards Committee to discuss a question which had arisen of vital interest to managers, and it is gratifying to state that the action in approaching them saved quite a lot of unnecessary friction. “Since the last annual meeting the president and Messrs W. Wyeth, and T. King mot representatives of the New Zealand Dairy Factory Managers’ Association in conference at Wellington and matters of mutual interest were discussed. Members will be pleased to learn that the association referred to has an entirely new constitution, but it is too early yet to state how farreaching its effects may be. With a world depression in dairy produce the coming season does not look encouraging. The cry for improved quality is insistent and we believe imperative. The deliberations on this question will be asked for in the hope that we may be able to give practical assistance to the industry. All members will appreciate the action of the South Island Dairy Association’s Conference in giving the union representation on a delegation to the North Island Dairy Association’s Conference at New Plymouth. It is a sign that producer and manufacturer are at last united for a common cause. May success attend their efforts. In conclusion the executive wishes to thank all members for the hearty support given during the year, and claim a similar response for the incoming executive. The 20 years' history of the organization bears witness of the benefits that have been gained for one and all. It expresses the hope that the coming season will be more beneficial to those engaged in the dairy industry than the one just closing.” The president, in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, congratulated the members on the sound position of the organization, and stated that everything during the year had worked smoothly and all managers had done everything possible for the purpose of raising the industry to the highest possible standard. He expressed the hope that the coming season would be more beneficial to those engaged in the dairying industry than the one just closed, and impressed upon all members the necessity of being financial on the books. The motion was seconded by Mr W. MoKeown, who congratulated the president on being appointed as one of the delegates to represent the practical side, of the dairying industry at the conference of the North Island Dairy Association at New Plymouth. Other members spoke in a similar strain and the report and balance-sheet were adapted Unanimously. Messrs W. Ronald and A. L. Adamson and Dr. A. F. Ritchie Crawford, representatives of the Southland A. and P. Association, waited on the meeting for the purpose of improving the schedule of the cheese section at the Southland Winter Show. They made a number of suggestions

which were fully considered by the meeting, and it was decided that a copy of the suggestions be sent to each factory manager for his consideration, so that the members could express their opinion thereon at another meeting to be held in the near future. The following show schedule committee was appointed:—Messrs W. Bagrie, Thomas King, W. Gaitts, A. Linklater, S. Morrison, A. Boniface and J. Henderson. It was also decided to approve of regulations being gazetted prohibiting the receiving of mammitis infected milk at cheese factories and the compulsory registration of all cowbyres. The following officer-bearers were elected for the ensuing year President, Mr W. Bagrie, Seaward Downs; vice-president, Mr George Dickson, Edendale; committee: Messrs W. McKeown, Mataura Island; D. M. McDonald, Mataura; A. Harper, Woodlands; A. Ross, Wyndham; W. Wyeth, Brydone; W. Weir, Aparima; A. Linklater, Tisbury; J. Henderson, Menzies Ferry; D. Thomson, Paretai; R. Fraser, Boggy Burn; R. Simmonds, Ryal Bush; Thomas King, Winton; W. Gaitts, Fairfax; D. McQueen, Kennington; B. Bennie, Glenham; G. Knox, Pine Bush. The sum of £5 was voted to the office staff.