DAIRYMEN’S GRIEVANCES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16584, 17 November 1921, Page 7

DAIRYMEN’S GRIEVANCES.

PRICE-CUTTING DISCUSSED

A meeting of the Dairymen’s and Herd Testing Association was held this morning to discuss several questions affecting dairymen’s interests. Mr H. Bliss, jun., presided. He said that the principal business of the meeting was to discuss the price-cutting which was going on between the factories. As tilings were at present, the producer was losing l£d per lb on his butter sold locally. All that the meeting wanted to do was to protect the producer on the broadest basis possible. There was a movement afoot to bring about amalgamation. This would do good as it would prevent overlapping, which was a considerable item. There was the question of fixing tho test and this was commendable in so far that it would cause a legitimate competition in the overrun. Something must be done to protect dairymen us they worked on trust with, the factories. There was a considerable discussion on the pricecutting question. Mr R. Newell pointed out that the English price for butter was now Is 9|d, whereas the New Zealand supplier got Is sfd. It was decided td appoint Messrs H. Bliss, R. Newell, J. H. Prosser and F. Pearcd to meet the factory managers in the afternoon to discuss the question. Mr F. Pearce said in regard to limiting the overrun in tho factories, that he thought there would be more confidence if tho testing was done by a disinterested official such as a Government tester. Tilings would be more satisfactory if legislation were passed to bring about a compulsory grading. Mr Bliss said a good wholesome standard should be set for grading That was all that was necessary. On the motion of Mr W. Nairn it was decided that the Government should be requested to speed up 4 legislation to limit the overrun in tL > various factories. Mr Bliss said that a number of boxes had already been sent out tor herd testing. This was an important work and no doubt, in time, it would be put on a good footing in Canterbury. Then there was. the question of farmers’ instructors, .and a number of dairymen Viewed these with suspicion, but there was no doubt that there was a necessity for instructors. If dairymen only knew the condition in which some cream came into Christchurch they would recognise this. It wa* decided to appoint Mr A. Stathers as honorary secretary, to carry out the work of despatching the boxes for herd testing.