WEST COAST DAIRY COMPANIES.

Shannon News, 8 July 1927, Page 2

WEST COAST DAIRY COMPANIES.

ANNUAL MEETING OF ASSOCIATION. The annual meeting of the Manawatu and West Coast Dairy Companies’ Association was held in Palmerston North on Tuesday, Mr. S. A. Broadbelt (Levin) presiding. Additional companies represented were: Glaxo', Awalrari, Whakarongo, Cheltenham. Shannon , lvairanga, Bangitikoi, Kuku, Eangiwaliia and Makowliai.

ANNUAL REPORT. The executive reported upon the ( Year’s working. It, was felt that the Association had justified its existence in the taking up of various matters of ■* importance to the dairy industry, especially in view of the fact that- the work cost the companies very little. The executive had sought a reduction in the price of electric power to factories, while delegates attended conference re Dairy Employees’ Award, ’ and did all that was possible for the dairy companies. , The matter of > boundaries of wards No. 5 in id 0 had also had the attention of an executive, and representations have been made for modification of same. . During the past year several deputations had waited on the Prime Minister and Railway Board to have the railway freight on produce adjusted, . but unfortunately the Government was adamant in their decision not to reduce the freights. The Association still had this matter in hand and the question was’ not definitely closed. In connection with the proposed agreement between dairy companies,' the executive had, during the past year, Inyld two general meetings in the A. and' P. Hall, Showgrounds, Palmerston North, both of which were well attended. Mr. Singleton, Director of the Dairy Division, addressed the first meeting land it was resolved to communicate .with" all members re this agreement . This was-done and at 1 a later general meeting the matter was referred back to the executive to send out copies of agreement to all dairy companies'to sign. This should meet with a good response, and would, with -the ed-operation of all, help to stabilise the suppliers and prevent the shifting -from’-"factory". to factory. • All dairy companies in receipt, of the agreement had been asked to sign and return same before annual meeting, at which this question would again 'be discussed If necessary. The executive had been watching the tariff wall that was being put up in Australia on Dominion dairy produce, pork, etc., and had been advised by the Ministers of Customs and Agriculture that the Association’s letters re tariffs were being kept in view. Representation had been made to the Dairy Division, asking that creamgrading "be made compulsory only between the months pf August to May inclusive, and dropped entirely during the winter months. - To date, however, nothing .had- been definitely settled in this matter.

The executive had gone fully into the matter of the selling of "day-old calves (live) to freezing companies, and 'at their request, the managers of Longburn Freezing Works and the PeUding Bacon Co., Ltd., waited on I hem at a recent executive. Although flic scheme had yet to be finalised, the executive had the matter well in hand and sees no reason why the scheme should not start this season. Members would be advised further on this matter.

During the past year the executive had asked various dairy companies on the Napier line to link-up with the Association and had had very favourable answers re same. The report was adopted. THE EXECUTIVE. The retiring members of the executive were: Messrs H. E. Pacey and R. Dalziell. Both were re-elected.