DAIRY INDUSTRY

Taranaki Daily News, 11 July 1933, Page 11

DAIRY INDUSTRY

WORK OF THE BOARD FINANCE AND ADVERTISING. REVIEW BY MR. GROUNDS. A conference of representatives of the northern portion of the No. 1 ward of the Dairy Produce Board was held in Whangarei to-day, presided over by Mr. W. Grounds, the member of this ward on the b oa -d. Fourteei factories were represented. This was the first conference of the nine wards in New Zealand, and the object is to elect five delegates from each ward to attend the annual Dominion conference in Wellington in September to discuss all matters pertaining to the dairying industry. No. 1 ward extends from the North Cape to Pukekohe. Mr. T. C. Brash, secretary of the Dairy Board, was present. The start of the meeting was delayed owing to several northern representatives having to make wide detours as a result of the flooded conditions throughout the north. PROGRESS IN THE NORTH. In his address, Mr. Grounds congratulated the north on. the very successful season with greatly increased production and better quality. Referring to the question of restriction of exports he said the margarine interests in Great Britain had received a setback owing to the low prices of butter. He contended that the margarine interests would be re-established if a restriction on dairy exports were enforced and that it was undesirable that prominent members of Parliament should mention the possibility of a reconsideration of the question. Reviewing the dairy output and exports for the year, Mr. Grounds said the port of Auckland exported nearly six times as much butter as the next largest port in New Zealand, or nearly half the Dominion total. This showed the important part the Auckland district played in the dairying industry of New Zealand.

Referring to the work of the Dairy Board in connection with the despatch of produce, Mr. Grounds said the varied speed of boats and many other features made this a very difficult matter for the board. Last year 82.3. per cent, of the produce for Great Britain went to London and 17.7 per cent, to west coast ports. This year 76.8 per cent, went to London and 23.2 per cent to West Coast ports. Other exports for the year, with those foi" the previous year in parentheses, were: — New York, 1000 tons (none); Panama Canal zone, 26,000 tons (19,224 tons); Halifax and Montreal, 12,370 tons (none); Vancouver, 12,240 tons (61 tons); other destinations, mostly in the East, 32,000 tons (30,610 tons). EXPENSES AND INCOME.

Dealing with finance, Mr. Grounds said the expenses of the head office of the board in New Zealand were £6579, and in London £8733, of which £4OOO vras exchange on London remittances for advertising and for other purposes. Members’ honoraria and travelling expenses were £3900; British shipping expenses, £2525; New Zealand shipping expenses, £2800; grant to Massey College, £3500; and advertising in Great Britain, £12,500. The total expenditure was £43,633, and the income £45,000. Advertising in the previous year cost £lB,OOO, but was curtailed this year owing to reduced income. At the recent conference in Australia the Australian Control Board had suggested to the New Zealand delegates that an effort should be made to increase advertising by £25,000 each during the coming year to get the maximum result* from British consumers, particularly where rival suppliers had a strong connection. Mr. Ground® considered such a scheme would greatly assist the industry, the advertising of which during the past two years had been instrumental in helping the industry through a difficult period. TRANSPORT OF PRODUCE. Regarding the Blue Star line and the transport of produce to Britain. Mr. Grounds said the board had not yet been informed of possible contracts for the future, but would certainly aim at doing the best for the industry. It appreciated that the Blue Star line was desirous of entering the trade. The board was quite aware of the forces behind the position. The chairman of the board, Mr. W. A. loms, was at present in London inquiring into the position, but whether tlie Blue Star line would get the business depended on circumstances. Mr. Grounds then replied to certain remits brought before the National

Dairy Association conference and urged the necessity for close co-operation of all concerned to make a new approach to the many questions confronting the industry and to eliminate the bitterness which had existed during the past two years. In reply to a question Mr. Grounds said he considered a policy of winter production would be a decided mistake. A vote of confidence was unanimously passed in Mr., Grounds as the ward’s representative on the board. The following were elected as delegates to the Dominion conference:— Messrs. J. H. Stubbs (Northern Wairoa), F. E. Cullen (Mangaturoto) and C. B. Michie (Kaitaia). The remaining two delegates will be elected at a meeting of the southern portion of the ward at Pukekohe next Thursday.