THE DAIRYING INDUSTRY.

Shannon News, 23 June 1925, Page 2

THE DAIRYING INDUSTRY.

WEST COAST FACTORIES IN CONFERENCE. The annual meeting of Manawatu and West Coast Dairy Companies' Association was held in Palmerston last week, Mr S. A. Broadbelt (Levin) presiding. In moving tthe adoption of the report and balance sheet, the chairman said the Association had justified its existence. It was a splendid , organisation, enabling dairy companies to come together and discuss matters of common and vital interest. The executive, he said, felt that the appointment of instructors was very important indeed, and the scheme was that a company should find £l6O, which was half the instructor's salary, and the cost of travelling expenses. He instanced the success which had attended the" introduction of an instructor in Levin, and went on to traverse and enlarge upon the matters of milk and cream grading, freezing charges, etc. In regard to

railway freights, it was felt that it was unfair on the part of the Raiway Department to charge a preferential rate, and give other factories on the Manawatu Line no reduction. These latter were, entitled to fair treatment. The railways belonged to the people, and if these concessions were granted those factories who did not have it in conformity with others, the effect would be to force them back on to the road. The coastal freights, he felt, in continuing, should be borne by the shipping companies. As it was, all the factories were paying a portion of the tost. The next tiling that the Association had to fight for was a superfine grade, 93 points being a good start as a basis. Herd-testing was another thing of vital importance; as herds were increasing, meaning more competition, this measure was imperative. During the last year the bacon trade had not been satisfactory, and the farmer had to work hard for what he got. The Association would do well to help him as much as possible. The rejects had always been put up as the bogey of export, but these could -be reduced to a minimum if the farmer had the right class of pig. He thanked the executive for its interest in the Association's affairs during the year. The following were elected to the vacancies on the executive: Messrs CO. C. Dermer, P. Hansen and S. A. Broadbelt. BANKRUPT FACTORY.

Mr J. W. Teale stated that in his fifteen years of residence in New Zealand, lie had observed that three private- dairy factories had gone bankrupt, with heavy resulting loss to suppliers. He moved that it be a recommendation that any proprietary concern opening a factory Should satisfy the Government of its financial status and ability to carry out its obligations. * "The suggestion is quite a good one," said the chairman, of the motion, which was carried unnnimouslv. RAILWAY FREIGHTS.

In connection with the concessions granted factories in railway freights. Mr J Bovce said that the 40 per cenl. reduction" was on export, but this did not apply to local cheese. He could not understand this position, as a ton or local cheese was as heavy as a ton of export. It was quite unnecessary to penalise factories. On the face of it. it appeared that where there were no lorries, the factories reeeiveif no reduction. Mr Teale: "That is so." Tt was moved by Mr Dal/.iell and seconded bv Mr Hansen, "that the Dairy Division and the .Dairy Control Board be recommended to inal<e a 93 point superfine grade for dairy produce, with a corresponding superfine grade for cheese."—Carried.