DISTRICT NEWS.

Waipa Post, Volume XII, Issue 663, 27 July 1917, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

PIRONGIA. On Tuesday Mr l’acey, manager of the N.Z. Dairy Association, addressed a well attended meeting of shareholders and farmers of this district. In a few well-spoken words Mr Johnson as chairman of the Farmers’ Union opened the meeting. In his acidress Mr Pacey said labour was one of their most serious problems, some of the factories being so depleted that the work bad to be carried on by mere amateurs, and so he hoped that when the farmers found tilings not quite to their liking, they would, knowing the difficulties, have mutual patience and forebearanees Shipping and storage were other difficulties to be dealt with, but lie, personally believed the shipping position to be somewhat brighter than it had been for months. On tins matter Mr Massey was interviewed 15 minutes after his arrival from the old country—the reason of haste being that one of the first duties of Parliament would be to allot the space allowed to the various commodities for export, and he thought a 6 per cent, allotment for butter, which they had applied for a not unfair request.

As for storage—after the war had been in progress S months, the company had thought it wise to enlarge their storage accommodation—which action had since proved very necess-

ary. ; At the North Island Dairy Confei*ence said Mr Pacey, it was suggested that we turn down butter and make cheese, a suggestion what at first glance seemed feasible, but when analysed proved untenable. Tlie difficulties of obtaining the necessary machinery, the almost prohibitive prices, the scarcity of skilled labour — all went to prove the unwisdom of such a proceeding. In reply to Mr Peat’s question could not a printed balance sheet be shown to the suppliers, Mr Pacey said that it would be an expensive matter to print balance slieets 1 for all the creameries, but he had the local balance sheet and read the items, Mr Pacey then explained that as Mr Chalmers had left it was necessary to put some one in tiis place, and he would like the opinion of the farmers on the suggestion of appointing Mr Grace and this was finally agreed

to. , To Mr Peat’s question “Was not the company a big enough concern to build their own Glaxo factories without having to '.sell the monopoly. Mr Pacey explained that the enormous expenditure that such a venture would necessitate would be out of the question in the present crisis. Questions then arose as to correctness in the --weighing of the milk—many farmersbeing of opinion that mistakes were made in this matter. Mr Pacey suggested that the farmers weigh their milk before sending it, and also that the creamery scales be thoroughly tested for the coming season.

Mr Pacey then thanked tlie farmers for their patient hearing and the meeting closed with a vote of thanks to tlie chairman:

At the close of tiie meeting those present, as a body of butter producers decided to petition the Prime Minister and urge on him the necessity of preserving 6 per cent of the refrigerating space in all steamers takfng produce from New Zealand, so that butter /could be regularly exported. RANGIAOIIIA.

In Tuesday’s issue a report concerning Emily Green’s sickness being caused by bad school water was corrected. The correction did not in the slightest possible degree, hint at Mr Green being the insinuator of the report.

On Wednesday evening the annual meeting of the New Zealand Dairy Association was held in the Hall, Mr H. Mandeno occupying the chair. Mr Pacey gave a lengthy address, supporting each important statement by facts and figures. There was a really good attendance and the address was listened to with much interest by all present. The principal items mentioned by Mr Pacey were that, notwithstanding the many difficulties encountered this year the company had a turnover of £1,250,000. This was £400,000 more than the next biggest dairy company in the Auckland province. This was a splendid tribute to the personnel jjf the company. A short time ago there was considerable difficulty in getting shipping space for the butter. This trouble had now been overcome, and the future outlook had perceptibly improved. A deputation representing the dairy industry waited on the Prime Minister within fifteen minutes after liis arrival in Auckland, and received a good hearing. As a result three or four ships will be available in August and ten more in September, so that the butter on hand can be easily shipped. The association was trying to secure a regular proportion of space in every steamer, viz:' 6 per cent, of the refrigerating space. While the blitter was held up lamb was being exported. Lamb is not used by the troops and the space occupied by lamb in each steamer would bold 755.000 boxes of butter which was of more importance. Five per cent of space was also occupied by meat sundries not used by tlie troops. There was no reason why 6 per cent, of space should be reserved for butter. Payments so far had averaged Is ;! 2-Stlis d. per lb for butter-fat. Tliis would make Is 8d per lb of but-ter-fat for this season, the butter-fat levy having been already deducted.

Information just received by cable stated that butter was realising 20f/Tliere was every prospect of better prices next season. Mr Pacey was of the opinion that butter would be better still after tlie war. A hearty vote of thanks to Air Pacey for bis i address, and also a vote of thanks to the chair, concluded the meeting,