DAIRYMEN’S INTERESTS

Taranaki Daily News, 23 December 1930, Page 12

DAIRYMEN’S INTERESTS

THE TARANAKI FEDERATION.

MR. T. A. WINKS REVIEWS YEAR.

At the annual meeting of the Federation of Taranaki . Co-operative Dairy Companies at Hawera yesterday the attendance was restricted. This, Mr. T. 'A. Winks, who presided, pointed out, did not indicate decreased interest in the federation but was due to the delay in the holding of the meeting, which now unavoidably clashed with the busiest period of the farming year. Two years ago the. federation had a considerable sum in hand so that the levy had been, reduced to i<l per 1001 b butter-fat, Mr. Winks continued. It was impossible to.carry on at that figure, so the levy of Id would have to be reverted to. It was unfortunate that this increase should be necessary •at such a time. A factory with an output of 650 tons of cheese would pay £2l per annum in levy. < < The federation had. been, one of the first bodies to'invite Mr. W. M. Singleton to meet members after his return from England. Mr-. Singleton had made several suggestions which had been adopted, including the prohibition of the export of modified cheese. Other points Were the alteration of the cheese grading points and the new standard of salt in butter, both of which had proved satisfactory. These three points had been

of great benefit <to the industry. Mr. Winks thought that more men should be sent to England. That would, of Course,

cost money but he thought they were paying too much attention to the manufacturing ' end at the expense of . the other • end. . .

The federation had "also investigated the question ?of -a. premium for finest. The Dairy Board had net been prepared to recommend a compulsory pool rind had suggested a voluntary system. It had been decided to try a pool in. Taranaki but the factories, though in favour of the premium principle had considered it would not be fair for . them to,'do this with other parts of New Zealand standing alo’of. :•> Mr. Wi A. lorns, who- as chairman of the Dairy Board had also visited England, had been invited to Hawera, where ho had expressed opposition to standardisation. This question had been ’ fully investigated and the board had made recommendations On the subject. The matter was now in the hands of the Dairy Division. . . ' Mr. J. R. Corrigan interposed that a decision would not be made until the Prime Minister had. returned.. Another matter undertaken was the agreement between companies. An agreement had keen drawn up and a i/umber of companies had already signed it. It provided that suppliers should not be changed> from one factory to another after August in. each year. The federation had passed a resolution in favour of compulsory milk grading. Mr. Winks’ own company Whs grading milk aild making differential payments? The scheme had proved of very gr’at benefit and the quality of produce from the factory had been raised considerably. Milk grading had many advantages and it hurt th© pride of even the sharemilker to have his milk graded second. He would like to see grading more generally carried out.

The term of the federation’s three, years’ laboratory activity would expire next June. To carry on it would be necessary to make various arrangements shortly. Most companies,, he thought, would renew their agreement for another three years and it would be a pity if they did toot. There was a suggested change, in the policy of dairy research. l It had. been thought that it should be under one eafltrol. There Was a proposal that Mhssey College should control the business side of the various laboratories. It was suggested that the industry should provide two-thirds of the cost and the Government bhe-third. He was of the. dpiiiidn that this would come in time. The cost would'be about £20,000 but they would agree with him that the industry Could not do without Science j Mr. Veale himself thought it would bo better to work in With Massey College* Mr. Corrigan seconded the motion for the adoption of the balance-sheet moved by Mr. Winks. Mr. A. D. Johnson complimented Mr. Veale on his report. If the industry followed Mr. Veale more instead of going its oWn way it would be better off, ho added. ''' '

Messrs, fiuisted and McKenzie were reappointed auditors. Of the four retiring members of the executive—Messrs. T., A. Winks, J. B* Murdoch,' A. C. Hesse and H. C, Taylor-— the first three were re-elected and Mr. C. H. White was also appointed. It was decided to place on record appreciation of the services of Mr. Taylor, who did not offer himself for re-elpction. Mr. A. B. Muggeridge congratulated Mr. Veal© on his report. He personally did not care about the federation as long as Mr. Veale and the laboratory were retained. His company would support the laboratory. Co-ordination was wanted very much in tho industry. Mr. Johnson suggested that the question of the agreement should be left in th© hands of the executive.

The chairman and Mr. Corrigan said their respective companies would stand behind a three years’ agreement. Other members supported tho proposal and the chairman said he thought they could make the agreement for three years.

The question was left to the executive.

PERSONAL. The first meeting of the newly-elect-ed executive of the Federation of Taranaki Co-operative Dairy Companies yesterday re-appointed Mr. T. A. Winks chairman, Mr. L. H. Little, of tho staff of the Hawera branch of the Bank of New Zealand, has been promoted to the position of accountant at the Matamata branch. During his residence in Hawera, Mr. Little has been prominently identified with golf and cricket.