SOUTH ISLAND DAIRY ASSOCIATION

Otago Witness, Issue 4028, 26 May 1931, Page 16

SOUTH ISLAND DAIRY ASSOCIATION

e The annual report of the South Island Dairy Association of New Zealand, Ltd., states, inter alia, that after making all reasonable provision for depreciation in the value of the association’s assets the profit and loss account shows a credit balance for the year of £lBl Us Id, which the directors recommend be transferred to the capital fund account, bringing the latter to £13,976 18s. The business transacted during the year in the supply of manufacturing materials, etc., required by factories was satisfactory. The volume of business entrusted to the association continued to show an increase over past years, and, although the cash turnover failed to reach the total for the previous year, that was accounted for by the fact that prices were a good bit lower. Generally speaking, the shipping companies handled satisfactorily the produce available for export during the year in conformity with the programme set out by the Produce Board for regulating shipments. For a short period in January the stores at Bluff were taxed to capacity, but the position was soon relieved, and little, if any, inconvenience was caused to the factories shipping through this port. If the board intends to continue its present policy with regard to regulation of shipments it may be necessary to provide additional accommodation at the Bluff stores, and this is, no doubt, being kept in view by the Cool Stores Company. In consequence of the decline in the volume of goods imported into the Dominion and the increase in the volume of exports, the shipping companies found it necessary to send out a number of vessels from Britain in ballast to lift the produce offering. Needless to say, this

was a costly proceeding for shipowners, and, as the position which had arisen seemed likely to continue for some time yet, the contract made last year between the shipping companies and the Produce Board for a period of three years to August 31, 1933, at a reduction of 2A per cent, on the previous freight rates, appears to have been a fortunate transaction for the industry. The total quantities of butter and cheese graded for export at all Dominion ports for the years ended March 31, 1930, and 1931 were respectively as follow: —

* Equal to. 2 per cent, t Equal to 7J per cent. With regard to cheese quality, the directors found a further serious decline had taken place during the past year, notwithstanding statements that had been made by responsible persons to the contrary. From particulars supplied by the Dairy Division the gradings for the 12 months, ended March 31 last, give the following results;— Under

These results indicated that although the South Island percentage of finest grade was raised four points, as compared with the previous year, there had been, nevertheless, a shrinkage of 6} points in the Dominion percentage. In the North Island the percentage of finest quality dropped eight points, and was now down to 8J per cent., as against 59 per cent, for the South Island.

Only full cream, cheese was exported from the South Island. With the desire to assist farmers to maintain production the association recently imported a supply of basic slag, which was offered to factory suppliers on exceptionally easy terms. Particulars of the gradings for the year, to March 31 last, indicated that the standard of quality of butter continued on the up grade. During the past season 26,630 “ bobby ’’ calves were dealt with, which was an increase of 2830 over the previous jc'ar. Three separate “pools” were again conducted, in Southland, South Otago, and South Canterbury respectively. Of the total number handled 860 were rejected by the veterinary officers as not being up to standard. This showed a higher percentage than the previous year, but this was due to a more rigid application of the regulations rather than to carelessness on the part of suppliers. The whole output of veal was sold at the commencement of the season through the Dominion organisation, as was also the hides. The prices secure! for these products were highly satisfactory in view of the slump in values of commodities generally- Other products—tongues, kidneys, livers, hearts, and sweetbreads—were sent on consignment through the usual channels, and so far as account sales have come to hand the returns have been profitable.

1931 .. 1930 .. Butter. Boxes. 3.839,283 3.762,571 Cheese. Crates. 1,279,110 1,189,853 Increase *76,712 189,257

Finest. First. First. p.c. p.c. p.c. Whole Dominion 17* 792 22 North Island 8* 88* 3 South Island 59 40* 4 In the respective South Island Rradinn districts the results show: ; — Canterbury and Westland .. .. 52 472 1 Ota po t58J 31 i Southland .. .. 58 41*