DAIRY COMPANIES’ ASSOCIATION

Shannon News, 4 August 1922, Page 3

DAIRY COMPANIES’ ASSOCIATION

MEETING OF WEST COAST DELEi GATES. - 1 A meeting of delegates, of the Wellington West Coast Dairy Companies’ Association was held in Levin last week, those represented being Shannon, Levin, Te Horo, Kuku, Paraparaumui and Wellington Dairy Farmers. Mr W. J. McCulloch, manager of the Central Development Farm, was also present. Mr S. A. Broadbelt, chairman of di-

rectors of the Levin Co-operative Dairy Factory, presided, and welcomed Hie delegates, of whom he was glad to see so good an attendance. The minutes of the last meeting, held in 1920, were read. Mr C. I. Harkness (Kuku) was glad that the meetings were to he continued ,and considered that it was a mistake that such a long time had elapsed since the previous meeting. In the interval matters of the highest importance to the industry had trans-

pired. Mr Evelyn McDonald (Te Horo) supported these remarks and thought the (Scope of the Association should he made as wide as possible, and not confined to Wellington and the West Coast.

The chairman expressed the opinion that the best results would be got from a limited area as suggested by the- name Wellington-West Coast. To take in the Wellington province would he too large a district. Mr R. G. Wall (Kuku) pointed out

that the meetings of the Association were to be held at Shannon, Levin and Otalcl. If a wider district* was taken in it would be difficult for delegates to attend.

The minutes were then confirmed

Mr R. V. Brown (Kuku> moved

that the name “Wellington-W'est Coast Dairy Companies’ Association” be adhered to.

Mr McDonald suggested that the that the words “dairy companies” be deleted and the word “dairymen” be substituted.

The amendment, was not seconded, and the motion ogreed to. Mr C. I. Harkness moved, and it was carried, that one representative from each company form the board of control.

Mr Broadbelt was elected chairman and Mr T. G. Vincent secretary of the Association.

On the question of the fee to the Association from the companies, the figure was fixed at £2 2/ for this year, on the motion of Mr Bertram (Wellington Dairy Farmers). Mr J. G. Harkness (Te Horo) suggested that the question of constitu-

tion of the Association be considered and submitted to the next .meeting. ,

Mr C. I. Harkness said that a small

committee might he formed, to go into by-laws, and that these be submitted to a future meeting for confirmation. Mr Hardham (Paraparaumu) supported this, and moved th?xt the Shannon, Levin, Kuku, and Te\ Horo representatives be the committee to draft rules. This was carried, the committee to consist of one representative from each comps my. In reply to Mr Bertram), the chairman said the boundaries of the Association were understood to be from the Manawatu River to Wellington. Mr Bertram suggest!ed that there were some adjoining districts in the south that might come in, and moved the area fake in Mom Kaitoke in 1 the south to Linton ins. the north. This was carried. *

Mr McDonald thought the boundary question should h.av;a ibeen delayed, as other districts might .want to come in later.

Mr J. D. Brown (Kuku)' said the idea of the proposal was to have a small local association. They had considered going in with the Palmerston North Associaticn, bu t weve of opinion such an association would he too large.

APPOINTMENT OF INSTRUCTORThe chairman said the next matter was that of the proposal to appoint a dairy instructor for this district. Mr Singleton had recently been i.n this

district and met the companies** representatives and made a prop-osal that the Government would provide the official and that his salary would

be a charge on the companies. Mr R. V. Brown said the question of what it would cost the companies should be fully gone into.—That question should be disposed of, as it v'as of interest to them all.

Mr C. I. I-larkness said in Taranaki and Hamilton local inspectors were doing very good work. They Lad

power to inspect milk and if any tiring 1 was wrong lo report it. The speaker j disagreed with the system of the pro- | posed appointment. The Government | was to find the man and the companies j the money. He did not agree with that, but that the Government should

subsidise the local association in. regard to the salary. (Hear, hear.) Mr J. D. Brown stated, that during the last two years the dairy industry had been carrying the burden of ti e countiy on*its back. If the Government wished to increase the return * £wua the industry ahjtl thereby lixihg

more) money into the country it should assist the dairymen. Mr Hai’dham (Paraparaumu) said

this was a matter for the dairymen themselves. it was for their own benefit, and they should be prepared to do something to help tliemsedves. Mr F. j. Ryder (Otaki): 1 agree with the last speaker. There has been too much going to the Government for everything. Lot the larmers help themselves.

Mr McDonald was inclined to support Mr Harkness’s proposition. The dairy industry was a national concern, and the Government should do a little to assist it. The companies should moreover have control of the instructor.

In reply to Mr Taylor (Shannon) the chairman said the Government had refused io subsidise instructors, but would appoint the officials and give them Government status. The chairman thought that the latter was a desirable thing. The companies, however, would have an opportunity cT deciding on the man to be appointed. Mr W, Heggie (Te- Horo): Have we power to give the instructor the sack? The chairman: Undoubtedly.

Mr Wall said it had been suggested that the factory managers migiit take on the work, but he did not agree with that. The chairman: The managers have plenty to do without that.

Mr J. D. Brown: The managers have plenty ol trouble without going on to the farms for it. A manager has no power to go on a farm, but a Govvdrnment man has. Mr Hardhara quoted instances of the rike in grade at factories where instructors had been appointed. That was evidence of what benefits were being received 'from such appointments. He was firmly of opinion that an instructor would more than earn Ills salary. Mr F. J. Ryder: It all depends on the man you appoint. You will have to pay a fairly large sum to get a good man, and a good live man would be worth while.

Mr J. G. Harkness slated ihe appointment of instructors had been of incalculable benefit to the Dominion as a whole. It had been suggested that the Government pay the salary of the proposed • instructor to this Association. Mr C. I. Harkness: No; a subsidy. Mr Harkness: You say subsidy, but it is in your mind that the Government, shall pay the salary. (Laughter.) The speaker went back a few years and pointed to the great outcry at the appointment of graders. He was one of tiiose who strongly advocated such appointments. To-

day the farmers would not he without graders. The farmers’ boasted that last year the dairy industry brought in a re:urn of £16,000,000. Was it not worth while doing something to improve even that, or should, they endeavour lo lean on the Government. If there was any section which ought not to look to the Gov-

ernment for help it was the dairy industry. Even if the proposal to appoint an instructor was going to pul a levy oncthe seven oi' eight factories in the district it would only mean £SO or £6O a year each, and if by so doing that was going to raise the stan-

dard of their produce, then it was well worth while. Mr I-larkness stated our butter and cheese were equal to anything manufactured in the world, but it was the average quality that required attention and raising

to a higher level. He .strongly emphasised appointing a Government man as instructor. He had the status, and that was esseniial. What of the cost or levy if the benefits were to more than commensurate for ' that outlay S' Mr R. V. Brown strongly advocated

the appointment of an instructor. The factory managers could not do that particular work, and suppliers would resent a manager going on their farms to inspect their premises or plant. Mr Heggie: But managers have the right to speak to suppliers. Mr Brown.- And the suppliers would resent that, and consider the manager had a “set.” .on them if he spoke. Mr Bertram said the instructor should be a practical man and have experience. That was essential, so that when a case was reported to him he would know where to look on that particular farm for the cause of the trouble. He instanced the good results being goi by such an official in the company wilh which the speaker was connected. Mr McDonald inquired wliat they were to do w.th their inspector when all the wrongs had been put right. The chairman then moved, Mr Bert-

ram seconded, and it was carried: “Thtat this meeting approve of the principle of the appointment of an 1 instructor' for the district, and that, a { committee be set up to gathei all the i information and report to a. futuie j meeting of the Association, the committee to consist of ftee By-laws Committee.”