STORAGE OF CHEESE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2497, 25 June 1915, Page 10

STORAGE OF CHEESE

9 • EXTRA ACCOMMODATION ACTION BY HARBOUR BOARD Further consideration of the Harbour Board Eugineer's report on tho question of cool storage accommodation for cheese was given at the meeting of the Harbour Board last night. Mr. A. M'Farlane thought the proposal was good, for the output of clieese was growing. He proposed that the Engineer should draw up specifications and plans for a building. . It would mean a big loss to the country if there was not sufficient, accommodation. Besides, it would be a paying proposition to the board. The chairman (Mr. C. E. Daniell) explained that the last proposal of the Engineer was practically that plans should-be prepared for a £32,000 store. Members would remember that the Government officials had met the board in conference, and tho question that arose was, would the producers use tho store if it was put up. It was necessary that they should have the assurance of the Agricultural Department that the store would bo used, under the mandato of the Government. Mr. Cuddie had definitely stated at Palmerston North that there' would be no difficulty about that. Mr. R. Fletcher said that it was very pleasant to understand that the Dopartment was falling in with the board's desires, but they wanted something mere than a verbal agreement. The chairman: That will he given within the month. Mr. J. Cob be suggested that a motion should he passed that they would consider, the extension of the storage accommodation provided thoy got a guarantee that the cheese of the district would go through it. Mr. M'Farlane said that when the Engineer said that Bs. per ton.wjts a paying proposition they should not stand lu the way. Mr. M'Farlane put his motion: "That tho Engineer De instructed to draw up plaus and specifications for an addition to Z shed, with provision for refrigerating machinery to cool up to 12,500 tons in the season." Mr. W. Cable seconded the motion. Mr. M. Cohen moved an amendment to the effect that a guarantee would first have to be given that ft would bo .mandatory that all cheese goins? over the wharves should use the shed; and Mr. R- Fletcher seconded this. Mr. J. G. Harkness said that it was jconipulsory on dairy producers to have their produce graded at a specified place. •As soon as the board had a suitable t)lace the Agricultural Department would make that the grading place. Further, lie did not agree that; if jhe, cheese was cooled at 'Pate'a, for," say, 65., the producer should be compelled to pay an additional charge of Bs. here. It would bo-unfair to make the charge compulsory on all cheese. ' Cheese was going to he an important factor in the port. The time was not far djstant when butter would be a thing of the past, and all the factories would be turning their attention to cheese. Because it was under statute and controlled by the Government, there was not the slightest chance of any fucfqry going outside the store where it had to be graded. Last year there came out of Wellington 113,141 eases <f' chcese, 128,000 cases out of Patea, and about 68,000 cases out of New Plymouth. Mr. Cohen ■ agreed., to add to his amendment that a differential rate should be charged for cheese already graded and cooled. In answer to a question, Mr. Harkness .said that: the. factories would not patronise a private The Engineer said ; 'that the scheme would take' fifteen to sixteen months to i carry out. Finally the resolution, in its amended form, was carried as follows: —"That the Engineer be instructed to prepare plans and specifications for an addition to the ijresent Z store, with refrig- I erating machinery sufficient- to cool 12,500 tons of. cheese during the season, contingent upon the board receiving a guarantee from the Agricultural Department that all cheese shipped from Wellington pass through the store, and that a differential rate be drawn up for cheese arriving cooled."

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