PRODUCE IN STORE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 127, 31 May 1937, Page 6

PRODUCE IN STORE

DAIRY COMPANY STOCKS REPLY TO THE MINISTER COMPANY CHAIRMEN’S VIEW Recently publicity was given to the large quantity of dariy produce held in store bv tile Ookia and Wangaehu Co-operr.t.vc Dairy Companies, since when the acting-Minister of Marketin'- (Hon. W. Lee Martin) replied to ,he effect that, compared with last year, the shipping space has been well snreau and, nol.vittetanding an increase ir. the volume oi produce this I season as against last, the two companies referred to arc not seriously in arrears as regards slapping space. The Minister’s reply has been referred to the secretary of the Okoia and Wangaehu Companies who in turn, has referred it to the respective chairmen. The chairmen have forwarded the following statement in reply:— "The chairmen feel that the thanks of the companies is due to the Minister fot his attention, which shows tha. he is watching the position closely. A slight error was made in the original statement. Okoia's butter was on May 21 shipped up to March 3 make and Wangaehu’s to March 2 make, so that shipments are about three day. behind last year. This, however, is a minor matter, and a comparison between this and last year was not intended. "There is a difference between this year and last in that last yeai the □utter was the property of the dairy companies, and any benefit from spreading shipments woulo accrue to the companies. This year it is the property of the Government and any oenefits that may be derived from late shipments will gc to the credit of th. Government's dairy account. The dairy companies’ contention is that as that fund will benefit, that fund should bear the cost of holding. At present the two companies, Okoia ana Wangaehu, have in store butter valued at £49,000, on which the Government has not paid one penny, while the companies have had to pay their suppliers for all butterfat up to April 30. Okoia has 11.045 boxes of butter and Wangaehu 5775 boxes in store. The storage on all this butter will run into three months and will cost the two companies £ll9l.

"The general feeling of the Industry is that the Government pay for the butter earlier, and bear the storage after the first month. Several remits on this matter will be brought before the National Dairy Conference in June and the matter will be well ventilated at that conference."