FACTORY MANAGER’S

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 150, 27 June 1931, Page 8 (Supplement)

FACTORY MANAGER’S

NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION. ANNUAL MEETING HELD. The annual meeting of the New Zealand Dairy Factory Managers’ Associa tion (Inc.) was held at Palmerston North on June 16. Mr. P. C. H. Peter sen (Cambridge) presided, other mem bers of the executive on the platform beiug Messrs Murray (Dominion secretary), Sterling (Morrinsville), Taylor (Taranuaki), Thorburn (Whenuakura), and Adams (Mangawhata). Apologies for absence were received from Messrs Middleton, Fulton and Cleaver. The president extended a cordial welcome to the large attendance. “The year marks an epoch in the history of the association, and opens the page for a new era in the progress of factory management under a regime which has been most carefully studied during the last few years,” stated the annual report submitted by the exccu tive for the period ending April 30. 1930. “It was found necessary to have special legislation passed before the association could operate under its new constitution, and undertaking with all its attendant orothodox difficulties, but patient and assiduous work was rewarded by the granting of a charter on December 12, 1930. The returns for dairy produce have been unprecedented, and the greatest pessimist would not have forecast twelve months since that such a disaster as has been in evidence during the last few months would have overtaken the dairy farmer in such a short space of time. “Reductions of managers’ salaries have been made in sympathy with the position, and while your executive has come in for a measure of criticism herein in some districts, it has no regrets in the discharge of a moral obligation. A great deal of work has been put in by the executive committee in salary adjustments, and for this and other most valuable services rendered by Messrs G. Thorburn, J. L. Taylor and the Dominion secretary, your executive wishes to record its high appreciation. An unprecedented demand has been made upon the offices of the Dominion secretary, not only in finalising matters connected with the new constitution, but the general work involved in other departments of the office. The association is to be congratulated on the appointment of Mr. Murray to the position, and no eulogy by your executive would be too great in support of the services he has given. Mr. Murray’s name will appear in the history of our association as the one who in face of many difficulties piloted the association to success.

“A conference was held with the Otago and Southland managers at Wellington in July, and various important matters were discussed. Your executive wishes to extend its thanks to the Otago and South Island managers for their co-operation. Conferences were held during the year at Auckland, New Plymouth, Patea and Wanganui, and your executive conveys its thanks to the branch executives for the work done and time they have devoted to make these conferences a success, also to the freezing companies, National Dairy Association, J. B. Mac Ewan and Co., Ltd., and Joseph Nathan and Co., Ltd., for generous donations in connection with the conferences, as well as the director of the dairy division together with his officers, and Massey College, whose contributions in the form of addresses and general co-operation have been invaluable. The executive also extends its appreciation to the Winter Show authorities at Auckland, Hamilton. New Plymouth, Hawera, Palmerston North and Dunedin, for their consideration to factory managers during the winter shows. In accordance with tho by-laws the members of the Dominion executive who were elected as a provisional body following the adoption of the new rules and constitution retire, and are eligible for re-elec-tion.” President’s Remarks. “I congratulate members heartily on the steps taken towards placing the New Zealand dairy factory managers on a similar standing as dairy factory managers in other dairying countries enjoy,” stated the chairman in moving the adoption of the annual report. “The action taken has already borne fruit, and representatives of our association were appointed to act on two important committees set up by the Government to inquire into the salient points of the manufacture of quality dairy produce. The manufacture of .dairy produce took its rise in the home thousands of years ago and continued to be a home industry until about half a century ago, when the factory system was brought into service. And lam afraid that numbers of people still regard the dairy industry as a home industry and do not appreciate that in fifty years it has become a highly specialised industry in which the production of the raw material and the manufacture of tho finished product are of different aspect. Fifty years ently has not been enough to recognise this fact, and by many the old idea that the producer of tho raw material was equally capable to be the maker of the finished product still prevails. Dairying has become the gnau-st industry in this country, and very high standards are required both on the jart of the farmer ar .1 on the technicri side; and it is our duty as factory managers to see that, the technical side o. the uiliury is

kept to such a high standar 1 that we need not fear competition from other dairying countries —just as it is the farmer's duty to deliver a raw material that will produce tho finest quality u.' dairy produce. Milk solids and fat are produced on the farm and then delivered to the factory, and 1 venture to say that dairy produce quality is ninety per cent, made on the farm. After all, no, technical skill or scientific knowledge and the very best equipment at the factories can ever hope to produce finest quality produce from second grade or unsuitable raw material. 1 desire to record my deep appreciation of the special and truly excellent services rendered throughout tho year by our worthy Dominion secretary, who in turn has had particularly valuable and able assistance from tho general executive committee and other members of the Dominion executive.”

Mr. Taylor seconded the motion for the adoption of the report and stressed

the need for every member to support the association. He congratulated the Dominion president and secretary respectively on their work. The report was adopted without dis cussion. The executive committee for the ensuing year was elected as follows: Messrs P. C. IL Petersen, A. M. Stirling (Auckland), J. L. Taylor, C. Thor burn (Taranaki), J. A. Adams (Manawatu), R. W. Foss (Hawke's Bay-Wai rarapa), G. W. Middleton (South Is--1 land), and J. Murray (Dominion secretary). Mr. XV. E. Bendall was reappointed 1 auditor. Mr. G. XV. Reid (Rongotea) moved the I following Manawatu remit:— 1 ‘That ali 1 materials for washing or disinfecting milk plants as well as any new attach nient to such plants be submitted to the ' dairy division for approval before being ■ offered on tho market for sale to dairy ' companies and/or dairy farmers.” The ’• mover stated that the farmers had to be safeguarded, as some of the disinfectants used influenced the quality of the 1 I milk. Mr. Singleton said there was a regw 5 lation by the dairy division which made ’ it ft misdemeanour to use strong odor- ’ ous disinfectant, ft would probably be r possible to have the matter of attach ’ nient covered by a regulation, but the - opinion of the Crown Jaw office would ' harp, to be obtained. 1 Mr. Reid said his proposal was to r place the onus on the seller and not the ’ buyer. ' The remit was approved unanimously. It was announced that tho managers r had accepted an invitation by Professor i Riddet (Director of the New Zealand p Research Institute) 1o visit Massey Col 1 ege.