PATUMAHOE

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 291, 10 July 1917, Page 4

PATUMAHOE

MEETING OF DAIKY SUPPLIERS TFIE SHIPPING DIFFICULTY On Friday last Air Pacey (Managing Director of the New Zealand Dairy Association) addressed a meeting of the creara and milk suppliers of the Mauku district in tha Public Hall, Patumahoe, the gathering being one of the largest held in the district for some years. In a very concise and lucid address Mr Pacey explained the operations of the Association during the last season and made a judicious forecast for the coming year. He spjko of the wonderful growth of the Association's business which last year, if stocks in hand were realised at about present market values, would amount to £1,250,000, which went to show that the Association w&s one of the mainstays of the Auckland Province, the result attained representing the combined efforts of so many small dairy farmers and struggling settlers opening up the back blocks of the province. Mr Pacey dealt with the entry of the Association into the dried milk business and pointed out that that section of the Association's activities, though necessarily limited by the demand for glaxo, would be of considerable assistance to the Association's general business. As showing tho high standing of tho Association with the dairymen of tho province Mr Pacey claimed that the number of suppliers coming to the Association from other competitors was never larger than last season He ascribed this preference to the changes in the policy and organisa tion of the business previously decided on but which only came fully into operation last season. The increase in the value of the past season's business over the proceeding season was, ha stated, £150,000 and the Association's standing in the community had never been higher than it stood at present. Mr Pacey then dealt with the transport and storage difficulties that were confronting the business and stated that although no doubt the position was grave there were hopeful signs that the difficulties were on the mend and that an easement from now on would take place. He hoped from a recent statement accredited to the Prime Minister that the present stocks would be considerably reduced by the time the manufacture of next season's butter commenced. Referring to preference given to lamb and mutton over butter and the five per cent of all frozen space secured by the large meat companies for meat offal, Mr Pacey said that neither lamb nor mutton, nor meat offal was used for the food supply of soldiers at the battlefront. If they could secure six or seven per cent of the frozen space right through for butter there would be no congestion. He had been in communication on the subject with Mr Massey since the Prime Minister's return and felt satisfied he would have all possible steps taken to find means of transporting dairy produce so that there should be no stoppage of the industry on which such a large section of the community depended Mr Pacey said he was unable to inform the meeting what the total payment for last season's supply would be as such would depend on when and how the large balance at present stored in the freezing works was disposed of, but he assured the meeting the full amount would be quite as good, if not better, than that of any competing companies. After discussion as to supply of milk and cream at Patumahoe, it was decided to continue the Creamery, the cost of working being estimated on the promised milk supply at |d per lb butterfat. A motion was moved by Mr Hay, seconded by Mr Cantelin, and unanimously carried that Mr J. Henry, the chairman of the meeting, should write to the Prime Minister pointing out the serious consequence to the farming community and thecouutry at largo |any «toppage»of tho dairy industry through lack of transport would cause an.l urging him to use his best efforts to secure for dairy suppliers a fair share of frozen space for butter, appearances being that in the past that had not been done, undue preference being given to lamb and mutton from the South Island. Also asking the Prime Minister to see into the matter of clearance for fro/en produce that the port of Auckland was not treated unfavourably in comparison with other shipping ports as was the caso between Auckland and Wellington, tho .late fixed for Auckland being January 19th, while that for Wellington was February 28th which is 10 days in favour of Wellington. At the conclusion of the meeting a vote of thanks to Mr Pacey for his address and of satisfaction in his management during tho past season i and confidence in his ability to continue the business of the Association in the best interests of members and suppliers was unanimously carried with enthusiasm.

The uMial vote of ttianks to the chairman brought a lengthy meeting to a close