DAIRY INDUSTRY.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 June 1923, Page 1

DAIRY INDUSTRY.

THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION. [llV TELEGRAPH—PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] PLuMERSTON NORTH, June 19. The 29th. annual meeting of the National Dairy Association was held today. Air A. Alorton presiding. The chairman referred to, and commented oil matters mentioned in the annual report. The value of the huttor exported in 1922 wa s £8,886.820, and in 1923 £10.321,574. Although there was such a noticable increase in butter, the cheese showed a decrease ill quantity and value. With the possible exception of the East Coast, he said, the Dominion had fared well. Having spoken of the bright side of the industry, Air Alorton re--1 erred to the less satisfactory features, particularly the shipping of cheese, and said that further representations to the shipping interests would be made this week. There has been a gradual falling in freight rates, and there appeared a tail - chain o of obtaining a reduction in the cost of niaiketing produce. The prices during the past season had shewn many irregularities, and there nils no stability ns yet, but it must lie borne in mind that the figures were abnormal. The Executive had been advised, from the associated hanks, that they were considering tho possibility of removing the financial restrictions. No relief had been obtained in railway freight nor in taxation. He referred to the Empire Exhibition, and "paid a tribute to the work of Die Dairy Division, bin said Ibis was being hampered by an inadequate staff. The expenditure on a properly-equipped laboratory would pay in the long run.

Air 11. E. Racy (Palmerston North) referred to the necessity of popularising herd testing and the pork industry. Messrs W. Williams, Bell, AleCorninck, and Tosland also spoke on various a poets of the Association’s interior economy. Tlie election of directors resulted: Hon. J. 1L G«w (Auckland), .Messrs J. J>. Alurdoeh (Taranaki), and J. D. Brown (Wellington). A motion In hold the annual meetings alternately in Palmerston North and Auckland was carried, after con-.-idem Me discussion. ft was decided that the executive be requested to consider the question of representation on the Board and to report at next meeting. Tt was decided to pay Die directors tl daily in addition to hotel and travelling expenses and the chairman £l5O annually. Afr A. Brash spoke on advertising the Dominion’s products at the Empire Exhibition. Tie proposed a levy of 2s per ton on butter, and Is per ton on choc—. which would p.rodme £9,000 or £IO,OOO. After discussion the scheme was recommended to Die individual companies, the money to be collected at either end. OPPOSED TO CONTROL BILL. PALAIF.RKTOX N.. June 19. At tho annual meeting of Die Dairy Proprietary Association of New Zealand to-day, the following motion was carried:—“That Ibis Association is strongly opposed to the proposed Dairy Produce Control Bill, or any other form of compulsory control of the marketing of dairy produce.” The Association believed that improvements in shipping could he effected by the formation of a Shipping Beard, representative of the whole industry, and is prepared for the executive to meet represent a I ires of co-op-erative interests and other associations, with tho object of moving along these lines.