FACTORY MANAGERS.

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16814, 4 June 1926, Page 8

FACTORY MANAGERS.

MEETING AT HAMILTON. ANNUAL SMOKE CONCERT. A meeting of the Dairy Factory Mana--gers’ Association was held at Hamilton on Wednesday night. There was but, a small attendance.' In liis annual report. Hie president, Air 11. Crosby, said he was rather disappointed at, the small attendance. Some day, lie hoped that every factory manager from the North Gape to the Bluff would be a member of the Association. He was anxious that the Association should increase its sphere of usefulness, and wanted the support of all • factory managers. The Association was a body that played no small part in the industry, and they wanted it placed on a footing that would make il worthy of recognition throughout Ihe Dominion. The past year had not been a good one from the producers’ point of view, though hopes beat high at the beginning of the season when big prices were offered. The bad season and the drop in prices during the latter half of the season, however, dampened the spirits of the most optimistic. There was still a large amount of produce to he sold, and it was to be hoped that better prices would be obtained for the autumn make. Continuing, Hie speaker said these sudden inflations and fluctuations had been occurring l'or some years, hut no satisfactory reason for them was ever given. Willi the inception of Hie Control Board’s supervision of the sale of the exportable produce in September next, they might discover the reason and perhaps the remedy for these changes in the market. “in touching on this matter I may seem to digress,” added Mr Crosby, “hut Hie interests of the producers and ourselves arc one, Hie welfare of the primary producers being a matter that concerns our Association also. "During the year Hie .question of supporting further competitions in world’s championship classes was considered by your executive, and to the best of our ability we endeavoured to obtain the opinion of each provincial district. These opinions we made known to the Director of the Dairy’ Division, who requested our Association to give the matter full consideration. It is unlikely lhat these competitions will be .held annually, but they might he held periodically. Improving the Quality. “Early in the year the N.Z. Dairy Produce Control Board decided to offer very substantial prizes for the best grading of dairy produce incorporating the whole season's make. The Director of the Dairy Division sought our opinion on this question. There are to be four different awards, two for cheese and two for butter. One prize is to be awarded to the factory whose output shows the greatest improvement in grading between the points of 90 and 92 over the previous year, the same'for the factory whoso points are over 92J. Similar conditions apply to both cheese and butter. In this competition four cups of ihc value of £SO each are given, and the winning factory each year receives a photograph of Ihe cup. Three, casli prizes are also lo be awarded to the factory managers of the first three factories in order of merit. “Our members have no doubt read with interest the remarks of Sir Frank Heath, who favours the establishment of an institute of dairying. A remit dealing with Ibis question was considered at our last annual meeting, but little lias been done in Ibis matter. Wc can now approach the authorities with greater confidence, since our views arc supported by Ibis eminent, authority. I feel certain that the establishment of a. central agricultural college wiih a dairy institute attached. Hie outside districts lo be worked from a central college, will commend itself In our members.” The speaker congratulated the winners of Ihc Weddel Cup and Ihe, Hardloy Challenge Shield. The average grade points obtained for Ihc seven months were, lie said, very creditable. The thanks of Hie Association were due to Ihe donors of these trophies.

An interesting address was given by Mr A. Morton, relating to Ill's trip to Europe, with special references to dairying on the Gontinenl. Mr Quillam also gave a short address on dairying matters. Mr B. Harris was nonpnalcd as president for the Auckland province, the nomination to be submitted to the annual conference at Palmerston North.

Mr J. Murray raised the question of appointing delegates to represent the employees at the Conciliation and Arbitration Court, should occasion arise. The matter wilt he further dealt with at the annual meeting at Palmerston North. Last evening at the Masonic Hall, Claudelands, a very enjoyable smoke concert was tendered to the visiting factory managers. There were several interesting short addresses and a lengthy concert programme.