NEW ZEALAND PRODUCE

Taranaki Daily News, 3 September 1929, Page 16

NEW ZEALAND PRODUCE

TRANSPORT PROBLEMS.

i SAVINGS BY DAIRY BOARD.

The annual report of the New Zealand Dairy Board comments that producers probably have z little realisation of the detailed work involved in the transport of 170,600 tons of produce overseas annually. This work is now done completely by the board’s own staff at the various ports of shipment. \ During the year over 100 vessels were used and all "equipment for transport of dairy produce inspected by the board’s officers. Detailed attention is being given to steady improvement in thq. conditions of transport and the speeding up of steamers, together with the rearrangement of services to facilitate development of trade in all parts of the United Kingdom.

SAVINGS EFFECTED BY BOARD,

During the coming season investigations will be made into the effect of varying temperatures and fluctuating humidity on cheese in cool store and while in ocean vessels. Co-operation in this is being effected between Massey College, the Cambridge low-temperature station and the Reading dairy laboratory.

An interesting analysis is made of the savings effected since the inception of the board in respect of ocean freight, marine insurance and London storage. In the case of a 500-ton butter factory the payments in 1923-24 on the three items mentioned amounted to a total of £5BlO. For the season now current the charges on the same items will amount to £4516, showing a total saving annually of £1294, which is contrasted with the annual levy payable by the factory of £14(1.

Similarly in the case of a 500-ton cheese factory the payments in 1923-24 in respect of ocean freight, marine insurance and London storage, amounted to £5577, whereas for the season just closed the gross charge on these items was 4508, showing a total annual saving of £1269, with the annual evy payable by the factory of £73. The total levy paid by the industry in 1928-20 for die maintenance of the board was £34,875, whereas the annual saving tea med approximately £450,000. NEW INSURANCE CONTRACT. In connection with insurance a new contract just finalised establishes a premium on butter of 7s per cent, and on cheese of 8s 2d per "cut., showing a saving of approximately £5250 in annual premiums against rates formerly'obtaining, It is computed that the total reduction between the rates effective before the board’s inception and those now ruling amounts to from £35,000 to £50,000 per annum. The statement of income and expenditure shows that the levy received was £34,875, and the interest on investments £lBB9. The cost of the head office in New Zealand was £7’067, and in London £5292, making a total of £12,360, showing a reduction of approximately £6OOO from last year’s figures. The total expenses amounted to £27,088, which, after grants for dairy research, left an excess of income over expenditure for the year of £5624. The board’s reserve funds stand at £33,943, compared with £36,905 at the start of the board’s financial year.