The Dairy Industry.

Waikato Argus, Volume XXIII, Issue 3539, 25 July 1907, Page 2

The Dairy Industry.

REPRESENTATION IN LONDON.

When Mr Charles Mackie was appointed representative in Great Britain of the National Dairy Association, or rather of certain cooperative factories contributing to the Home Representation Fund, it was considered by many in the business that he was being sent to undertake an insuperable task, that he would have to fight the vested interesets in the produce trade of the Old Country, and would necessarily fail in the unequal fight. Encouraged ,however, by the experience’of societies'of co-operative factories which had their direct representattives on the London market, the supporters of the New Zealand scheme were confident of success. The first communications have now been received from Mr Mackie by Mr J. G. Harkness, secretary of the association, and these give every indication that his mission is to be crowned with success that is if those who sent him to the great world market give him loyal support, and act on the advice which the knowledge ho is fast obtaining of the trade at the other end enables him to give. Mr Mackie is busily engaged getting into close touch with the agents who are handling New Zealand butter and cheese, and, it is encouraging to know, is being well received by them. During this work Mr Mackie has been enabled to already gain information which must be of direct benefit to his employers. One thing upon which he has been inquiring has been the outlook for cheese. He has been assured that it would be impossible to give any idea of how prices will go for next season’s cheese. This, of course, is a palpable fact. But he was given information in various quarter? which would point to the fact that the pi'esent prices may not rule next season. He was told that the majority of Canadian factories have dual plants, and the output of cheese from the country, which is the main source of Britain’s supply, will probably show as great increase this year; also that Australia, now that it is awakening to the possibilities of cheese, will ship a considerable amount. Then, one produce authority assured Mr Mackie that if the cheese-makers of England take to cheese-making seriously this year, it will have a big effeet on prices. It was remarked by another authority that if New Zealand sends any large quantity to Britain during the coming season prices must fall. It is interesting in this connection to mention that the trade would probably like to see prices fall, as there is more money to be made on the market when prices are low than when they are high. One thing which has struck Mr Mackie forcibly already—it has been pointed out time and again by Mr J. G. Harkness and others—is that we will never have the full benefit of the market till our produce is more concentrated —placed in the hands of one or two reliable firms for sale, so that by their being sure of a big supply they will be warranted in making a specialty of New Zealand butter and cheese. The Victorians are realising the benefit of the same policy. Referring to the repeal of the Home and Foreign Produce Exchange that Australian and New Zealand grade certicfiates be considered final —Mr Mackie says this matter was hurriedly dealt with. He has every hope that the rule will be reinstated so far as New Zealand produce is concerned.

Mr Mackie says: —“l have nothing* to say against Australia or its butter, but I say this; that New Zealand had its grading system for many years, and the system is now at a stage of absolute reliability, while Australia is only commencing the system, and is meeting with all the difficulties which New Zealand has surmounted.” Mr Mackie has much more to say of his experiences in London, but it is chiefly in the nature of special information for the factories he is representing. The above excerpts, however, will show that he is not wasting his time. —New Zealand Times.