MATAMATA CHEESE FACTORY.

Putaruru Press, Volume II, Issue 44, 21 August 1924, Page 3

MATAMATA CHEESE FACTORY.

MEETING OF SUPPLIERS. Next Season’s Prospects. A well-attended meeting of suppliers and shareholders to tne re-recently-converted Matamata cheese factory was held on Wednesday morning, Mr. C. D. Kollett presiding. The meeting was also attended by Messrs. W. Goodfellow (managing director of the N.Z. Co-op. Dairy Co., Ltd.), F. J. Nathan and H. E. Pacey (Glaxo Manufacturing Co), and W. Y. Kirk-man and J. T. Bryant (N.Z. Co-op. Dairy Co.). Mr. W. Goodfellow was the first speaker and in the course of his remarks he congratulated the suppliers on the manner in which the guarantee had been signed. The number of cows signed for was 3000, but it was expected that the supply would be from 3500. Referring to the business of his company, Mr. Goodfellow said it had not increased during the past year; in fact, there had been a shrinkage in the amount of butter manufactured to the extent of 5 per cent. Really, the company was not seeking an expansion of business for two or three years. Sheepfarmers who had taken on dairying when the outlook for sheep was poor, were now reverting owing to the high prices being obtained for wool. Speaking regarding last year’s glaxo factory operations, the speaker said the suppliers had cause to be gratified with the result. For September to March supply an average payment of Is 5.35 d had been made and the final payment for butter and casein would bring this up to Is 8.09 d for the season. This compared very favourably with the prices paid by other companies. Referring to the operations of the Dairy Control Board Mr. Goodfellow said the primary object was to .control marketing, and in conjunction ‘with the Meat Control Board an effort would be made to secure more favourable tariffs for freight. The board would also go into the matter of a national advertising campaign. The New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company itself had done some of the pioneering work in this connection but it was unfair for one company to bear the whole cost. This advertising had borne fruit in the south of England but not so much so in the north. He had been informed that Anchor butter was now in use at Buckingham Palace. This was a distinct tribute to its quality. Mr. Goodfellow said he would like to disabuse the farmers’ minds that the Control Board would be expensive to administer. He was convinced that the amount saved would more than twice over outweigh the cost of the board. Farmers should not object to a levy, for the success of the board would depend upon the support given by them. Referring to the quality ot New Zealand produce Mr. Goodfellow said that last year’s had not quite been up to the high standard of the previous year but strong efforts would be made to remedy this. In their own company when grading had been optional the product was of lower grade than when it was compulsory. He would advocate cream and milk grading under Government supervision. New Zealand was not alone in this. In Canada classification both in price and quality was enforced whether the manufacturingconcerns were proprietary or cooperative. The cheese business through the past season had been unsatisfactory, due he thought to over production principally, with consequent lower prices. There was reason, however, to believe that prospects would be much better for the coming- season; in fact the outlook for all kinds of dairy produce was certainly more promising. Economists were predicting a great revival of trade in Britain and this would mean less unemployment, higher wages and a greater purchasingpower. A direct indication of this was the probability of the reparation question with Germany being settled. He thought the worst period was now over and that much better times would follow. In conclusion Mr. Goodfellow said the converted factory would be ready for the manufacture of cheese in the early part of September and he took the opportunity of wishing the suppliers a prosperous season.

Mr. F. J.. Nathan then addressed die meeting, thanking the suppliers at the outset for the manner in which the extraordinary position had been met.* Circumstances over which they had no control had altered their relationship but the suppliers had his best wishes. It was pleasing to know that they would have a cheese factory second to none in New Zealand. Mr. Nathan endorsed Mr. Goodfellow’s remark regarding the question of quality. He said there had been a recent falling off in this but a wonderful trade had been built up in quantity, which was 400 per cent, greater than 10 years ago. The Glaxo Company had learned what could be done by supervising- the milk supply, which was most necessary. For

good cheese the quality of the milk had to be first class. If cleanliness was not observed there would probably be a loss of £2 per ton of cheese. Speaking- of prospects Mr. Nathan said competition was going to be keen. Next year Siberia would export 25,000 tons of butter, apart from other Russo-Finn States. The Siberian butter was a very dry article and was mostly used in blending with better grades. New Zealand should not object to the use of its butter for blending. Argentine competition, said Mr. Nathan, would not be any more serious than previously, but greater production would emanate from Ireland and Australia. The latter country would also be a competitor in the cheese market. Quality was the safeguard for New Zealand. Years ago the speaker had advocated the building of laboratories for training dairying students and for experimental work. Owing to these not being established his own company had had to provide its own. It had found that its action was fully justified. He asked for the strongest support for the establishment of Government laboratories, both from the Farmers’ Union and the local member of Parliament. Also speaking on matters affecting the Control Board, Mr. Nathan suggested that the markets of the East should be investigated even to the extent of sending a delegation. It would take years to develop this market and it could not be done without perseverance. He thought the matter of advertising should be a Government function and should be carried out in Continental countries as well as in Britain. It was the duty of the Government to encourage a business which amounted to from IS to 20 millions of money per annum. Mr. Nathan concluded by referring to the importance of the pig industry, stating that New Zealand farmers would be forced to give more attention to it. It paid in other countries and should pay handsomely here. Mr. H. E. Pacey referred to the loyalty of the Matamata suppliers and voiced his regret at this being the last time he would be amongst them in his official capacity. The following local committee was elected:—Messrs. H. McKean, W. Egan, C. S. Green and M. Shaw. A vote of thanks to the chairman and speakers concluded the meeting.