DAIRY INDUSTRY

Southland Times, Issue 25305, 7 June 1935, Page 8

DAIRY INDUSTRY

SOUTH ISLAND ANNUAL CONFERENCE CONCLUDED FURTHER REMITS Further remits considered at the annual conference of the South Island Dairy Association were dealt with as follows:— From the Stirling Dairy Company.— (7) That this conference views with alarm the number of irritating particulars required in making up Government returns, etc., and regulations generally.'* In moving the adoption* of the remit Mr A. A. Jensen said it was in the interests of company secretaries. A large number of returns were demanded by the Government and many of these appeared to be quite useless. Several departments demanded returns overlapping the demands of others. It was absurd that secretaries should have to make up these returns. Mr J. Walker (Momona) seconded the remit. Mr L. R. Clark (Ashburton) endorsed the remarks of Mr Jensen and said that the mover had not enumerated all the returns which were requested. The Government had recently legislated to enable factories to retain 21 percent. of all money collected by way of orders, but it had not given any power to charge for making returns. He would like to move as an amendment that the factories be empowered to make a charge for the cost of preparing returns demanded by the Governm Mr A. Johnson seconded the amend- ’ Mr W. H. Staniland (Clandeboye) questioned who was to define whethei the particulars were irritating or not. The returns asked for were all for a definite purpose either for the benefit of the industry or the community in ° MrD. Rutledge (Farmers’ Dairy Federation) said that the special return concerning the cost of manufacture was a very comprehensive one from which the Statistical Department produced a great deal of valuable information. It involved a considerable amount of work when the return had to be made up to the end of the departments financial year and it would be much simpler if the form could be made up as at the end of the company’s financial yf Mr A. Morton said that the Government had agreed to accept returns from North Island factories compiled to the end of the financial year. Mr Rutledge gave notice, of a further amendment that in connection with the return of cost of manufacture the factories be permitted to use as a basis the final figures at the close of ttieir financial year instead of at the end ot the Government’s financial year. Mr W. Carswell spoke in support ot Mr Rutledge’s proposed amendment and said that many of the returns were provided for under the Companies Act and could not be escaped. If some relief could be secured it would be welcome. • j ' Mr Clark’s amendment was and became the motion after which Mr Rutledge moved his amendment. Several speakers contended that Mr Rutledge’s proposal was not an amendment as provision was already availMr Rutledge’s amendment was lost and Mr Clark’s motion carried. Local Supply Regulations. From the Farmers’ Dairy Federation Limited: (8.) That this conference take steps with a view to having the regulations governing local supply altered so as to permit the sale of cream, alter pasteurization, direct from dairy factories. Mr R S. Tait, who moved the adoption of the remit, said the desire was to have the regulations altered to allow factories to sell milk or cream after pasteurization. At present •it was necessary for the milk or cream to come from a registered dairy. . In seconding Mr Rutledge said that the price of cream on the local market was disproportionately higher than the value for butter-making purposes, and it was only fair that companies should be allowed to sell cream on the local market. ~ . ~ Mr L. R. Clark (Ashburton) said the remit was very important to the industry. Cream was sold on the local market on prices ranging up to 2/6 a lb which prevented many people from purchasing it at reasonable cost. It had been said that if cream could be sold on the local market at a reasonable price there would be no need for a quota against New Zealand dairy produce. Mr F. G. Armstrong (Akaroa) said the proposal would inflict an injustice on people living near the towns who augmented their income by selling milk. The motion was carried. From the Stirling Dairy Company: (9.) That the directorate of the South Island Dairy Association arrange the order paper of the annual meeting so that the business is taken prior to the addresses in order that the country delegates may hear the majority of the business within the one day. Mr H. C. Anderson said that previous conferences had dragged on to the second day. He congratulated the chairman on the expedition with which he had disposed of the business and asked leave to withdraw the remit. This was granted. Additional Remit. The chairman asked the conference whether it was prepared to have a late remit added to the order paper. This was agreed to, the remit being as follows:— From the Freshford Dairy Company: That it be a recommendation to the Dairy Board to rescind the marketing regulations which came into force last September. Mr C. Stirling (Switzers), said he was representing the Freshford factory, but he had no information about the remit and was not prepared to move its adoption. Mr J. H. McMath (Baifour) moved the adoption of the remit. He said that the regulation affecting the f.o.b. sales was costing the factories 1| per cent, on all cheese sold and prevented factories from interfering with cheese on the water. Mr G. F. Horrell (Tuatapere), seconded the adoption of the remit. Mr W. Carswell said he thought it was unfortunate that the remit had been brought forward without notice. He represented two companies and as he had had no instructions on the matter he must decline to vote. A delegate said that the regulations in question were only on trial for twelve months. In reply to a question the secretary stated that he took it that the remit referred to all the regulations brought into force last September. Mr L. R. Clarke (Ashburton) .said that the industry should be very careful not to interfere with the regulations. , t. Mr W. Lee (Goodwood), said he be-

lieved that. the regulations would be reviewed in a month or two. The motion was lost. Address by Mr Morton. Mr Arthur Morton, chairman of the National Dairy Association, addressed the meeting, He stated that there was not the same necessity for co-opera-tion between the two associations as had existed before the Dairy Board came into operation, but his association appreciated the assistance which it had received from the southern association. He would like to congratulate the association on the fine result of the year’s work and to emphasize . the need for the loyal support of members. After an appeal had been made through his own association the business had been increased by £40,000, and expenses had slightly decreased.— (Applause.) He regretted that it had been said that the South Island Association had not been able to provide goods of the best quality, but he doubted this statement, and he believed that some of the influence was responsible for the position which existed. , He was sorry to have to say that there had been no improvement in the position of the industry during the past year. He believed that the only prospect of improvement lay .in an increase in prices overseas, and in this, respect it was well to remember that in times of low prices and high production quality was of first importance. A position had not been reached where no further improvement could be made, and it was essential that research should proceed until all problems had been solved. Over 50 per cent of the pastures from which milk was produced were treated with fertilizer and this may have been responsible for changes which had increased the difficulties of factory managers in turning out a first-class article. This was a matter that would have to be carefully examined. If the research carried out in New Zealand improved the income from New Zealand’s production by only 1 per cent, the expenditure would be well worth while. It was well to remember also that New Zealand’s competitors were spending enormous sums on research. In conclusion, he stated that, by improved quality the farmers could do more for themselves than could the Government. Conclusion. Mr R. S. Tait moved that the chairman’s honorarium be fixed at the same as last year, 100 guineas. This was seconded by Mr A. u. Fleming and carried. The chairman returned thanks to the delegates for their co-operation in enabling him to complete the conference. promptly. A bearty vote of thanks to the chairman was proposed by Mr G. R. Herron and carried by acclamation.