DAIRY INDUSTRY.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 382, 13 March 1937, Page 4

DAIRY INDUSTRY.

FARMERS’ VIEWS

Payment for Butter and Cheese Fifty-four Taranaki dairy factories were represented at a meeting convened by the provincial federation at the Town Hail today to discuss matters of importance to the industry. The differential payment for butter and cheese was discussed at length, and delegates to the Dairy Control Board conference were asked to endeavour to evolve a basis of payment satisfactory to all. The chairman, Mr. F. G: Parsons, regretted that it was necessary to call the meeting on a day when the Stratford A. and P. Association was holding its show. However, it could not be postponed, because the federation wanted an expresion ot views to pul before the Control Board conference next. week. The first, matter dealt with was the question ot joining the National Daily

Federation, and formal resolutions in connection with the linking up were passed. Mr. H. B. Gibson said that at the present time unionism was very much in the air. There were three parties representing the farmers: the National Dairy Association, Control Board, and the Farmers' Union. It every farmer had to join a union it would be the Farmers’ Union. It was a disturbing condition. Mr. 11. E. Blyde said there would be no trouble between the Farmers’ Union and the dairy industry. The union dealt with the difficulties ot individuals—not only of dairy farmers but of all farmers. It. would- do no

harm to the individual to have a national body representing the industry. Guaranteed I Price. Referring to the guaranteed price, , Mr Parsons said that the greater part of the season had been gone through and they were now able to review the position. It was found that factory costs had gone up considerably, though butter was not affected as much as cheese. Butter costs had gone up l-8d and cheese more. Farm costs i had gone up, but it was hard to nr-j rive at an estimate. Costs generally I w-ere going up all the time, and ifj the price puid this year was thought I a fair price, the farmers would have I to get more next year. How that was i to be done he did not know. At pre-j sent the Government was paying a. greater price than received on the: London market, but it had started the | guaranteed price and would have to; go on with it. Mr. Parsons raid that from evidence collected it. was found that the differential payment for butter and cheese had not worked out as anticipated. It seemed that the Government would have to give 2d, otherwise factories,

would go in for butter. Butter was low enough and could not be reduced. Mr If. C. .Taylor (Ngaere) said it seemed that the yield was fixed at 2.55, but a difficulty arose in Taranaki, where tests were high and yields low. "We should make it emphatic that 2d should be the difference," said Mr C. .1. Tosland (Pihama). Mr. Parsons: We have had communications from other districts and all are satisfied that the difference is not enough. Mr E. A. Aldridge (Pembroke) considered that delegates should ask for nothing less than 2Jd.

Importance of Cheese Industry. Mr. Tosland said it was most Important to keep the cheese industry going. It New Zealand ceased to supply the market would be lost. On account of labour shortage, there was a trend to turn to sheep. Farmers could not get labour and there were some who could not afford to pay for it, even if men were available. Approximately one-third ot a staff was required to manufacture butter as compared with cheese, and if factories turned from cheese to butter, men would be thrown out of work. Mr. Aldridge moved that delegates ask for not less than 2Jd. An amendment was moved by Mr. A. B. Muggeridge (Alton) that delegates try and evolve a basis of payment satisfactory to everybody. Mr. L. E. Hann (Stratford) said that farmers were partly to blame for the highest test and the limit had just position. They had aimed for the about been reached. Alternative Solutions. “I believe that there is a general feeling that more is required, but there is more.than one way ot getting it," said Mr. W. C. Green (Rahotu). "The Government could lower the •standard of cheese grading or could fixed the price of casein, and that would bring down butter." continued Mr Green. "But you have to he careful, because if you make too much fuss the Government will control it. It is better for delegates to hear the discussion at the conference and draw their own conclusions. I think IJd‘ ts mifilclent, providing that wo can con-

I tinue to get it. W# want to be fair i Io both sides. ; On being put to the meeting, Mr. I Muggeridge’s amendment was parried. It was further resolved, on the moi lion of Mr. Thomas (Patua), that the j Government be asked to make an ' early announcement, and certainly beI fore the end ot May. of the differential payment between butter and ! cheese. After hearing an address by Mr. J. H. Furness, of Huntly, on the subject of a compensating price, a resolution I was passed supporting the views ot the speaker.