NATIONAL DAIRY ASSOCIATION.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1779, 18 June 1913, Page 9

NATIONAL DAIRY ASSOCIATION.

PRESIDENT'S YEARLY REVIEW. THE CHEESE INCREASE. SERIOUS PROBLEMS AHEAD. (By Telegraph.—Speplat Reporter,) Palmerston North, Juno 17. The nineteenth annual meeting of tho National Dairy Association of New Zealand, Ltd., was held in tho lecture hall at ithe Manawatu Show Grounds to-day. The president, Mr. A. Morton, was in the ohair. Referring to tho annual report and balance-sheet, Mr. Morton said that the association had reason' to congratulate itself on the progress made in the last year, which was greater than in previous years. To a great extent this was due to the increase Df dairying in the Auckjand province. One could nut bo hat impressed by the strides made in the Waikato, where lands which a few years ago were valueless were now highly productive. _ Taratiaki still held pride of place in tho matters of value and output of produce, but ere long Auckland province must displace Taranaki. Last year a great number of factories were induced to make cheese, instead of butter; but,' nevertheless, the output of butter had been more than maintaincd-r-exceedod. Dairying had risen from the bottom of tho list of exports to second on the list—second to •wool, which, ho thought, it would, in. a very few years, outstrip. Fifteen years ago the dairying exports were valued at This year s report of the association set tho exports down at a value of d£3,900,000, and in Saturday's issue of The Dominion the Hon. W. F. Massey (Prime Minister) stated that the value ■was even higher—.£l,3o9,ooo. (Applause.) Pastures had been considerably improved of late. At a recent meeting of the South Island Dairy Association, the Dairy Commissioner (Mr. D. Cuddin) stated that a great proportion of the milking maohines used by farmers were in. a dirty condition. This was a serious matter, and if tho farmers did not rise to the occasion o system of inspection by Government officers might have to be introduced. (Hear, j hear,)

"Mot Getting a Square Deal. Speaking on the question of marketing produce, Mr. Morton, said that while there was no complaint regarding our butter, and while tho article was equal to that of the Danes, the disparity in prica between the two makes, instead of diminishing, seemed to be increasing. If our butter had brought its value, it would have returned about ss. per cwt. more than it did realise. The association's Homo representative (Mr. Ellison) had always forwarded a great deal of information as to the marketing of our produce, this year particularly so, and the- president was satisfied that New Zealand was not getting a square deal at the hands of at ■least some of the agents at Home. There had been complaints about the'; openness of- our cheese, and the question of moisture in cheese would have to be seriously considered. It would be more difficult to test cheeso for moisture before exporting it, than was the case with butter, and he thought it rested with the factories to remedy whatever ■ defects existed. (Applause.) On the subject of the association's finances, Mr. Morton claimed that the balance-sheet revealed an entirely satisfactory position. The prospects for next season were promising. He did not anticipate a high range of prices, but he looked for a strong, steady demand for our. produce. Margarine would be increased in quantity in England, but there would" alwoys be a good market for a first-class butter. Our cheese position was very strong, with "only one fly in the ointment"—the quality must be improved. Mr, Morton concluded by'moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet. He resumod his seat amidst applause. Mr. A. Macfarlane (Pahiatua) seconded the motion.

After considerable discussion mainly on the subject of the shipping contract (which discussion is fully reported under another heading),'the motion was carried unanimously. The question of the association's importation of basic slag wa9 raised by several speakers, who complained that the bap were landed torn with hooks and 'half empty.-

Sir. J. Browne, of Makatawa, Taranaki,' fiaid that in addition to getting short,weight in slag through the association, he paid more for it than he could buy it for from a private firm in New Plymouth. Election of Officers. The following were elected directors:— Messrs. Arthur Morton, Egmont*Village; A. C. Hubbard, Paeroa; T. Bassett, Mangawhero, Northern Wairoa; H. D. Forgyth ti Elthamj W. ,D. Powdrell. Kaupokonui. Messrs. A. Macfarlane, Pahiatua, and W. Fisher, Carterton, also are members of the directorate. Tho retiring directors were voted .£2O each, except the chairman of directors, .who was voted »£SO. Mr. C. D. Morpeth, of Wellington, was re-elected auditor at a fee of twenty-five guineas.