DAIRYMEN CONFER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 336, 24 June 1911, Page 4

DAIRYMEN CONFER.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION MEETING. LAST SEASON'S RESULTS AND NEXT YEAR'S PKOSPECTS. l'alnierston N„ June 0. The dairymen's conference opened this morning, when the seventeenth annual meeting of the National Dairy Association, of New Zealand, Limited, was begun in the A. and P. Association's lecture hall. PRESIDENT'S REVIEW. A glance nt the past season's operations was taken by the president in moving the af. option of the report and balance-sheet (which have already been published), lie remarked that the turnover had been larger than ever, and the profit resulting from the year's working was most satisfactory. The butter market during the season had been rather disappointing, as the high prices expected at the beginning had not been realised. Many reasons had been suggested for this failure to come up to expectations, one being that the British public had just awakened to the fact that it was eating butter eight to ten weeks old, as a result of the advertising done. But he did not think there was much in that. (Hear, hear.) It might be that the over-run resulting from the use of the combined churn had affected the market by reason of the little extra moisture left in the butter not .suiting markets quite as well as the drier product of previous years. The principal cause of the drop in prices was probably the larger exportation from Australia, where they had had a splendid season, and an output of something like 14.284 tons more than former years. The prices had not fluctuated very much, but there had been a steady drop from the opening rate of 112s, in November. The average had not been much over 106s. A number of complaints had been received of butter not opening up so well on the Home market as it should, but this was the usually the case when lower prices ruled. All the same, there might be something in the complaints. He referred with satisfaction to the appointment of Government experts, to watch the interests of producers at the market end. Grading had been higher this season than before.

GOOD PROSPECTS FOR CHEESE. The cheese market had .been in a very satisfactory condition, the \New Zealand product having got a good name for itself, and comparing very favorably with the Canadian make. It seemed to •him that if reciprocity between the United States and Canada was consummated, the former country would absorb a great proportion of Canadian cheese, thus causing a demand for the New Zealand product in the British market. He thought a big opening would be given in this way. The increase of twenty-two in the association's membership during the year indicated good progress. An office had !>een opened at Auckland, and lie believed that before long they would be able to draw the whole of the North Island into one strong association. • THE ASSOCIATION'S WORK.

It was satisfactory to note that the association had been able to obtain a reduction in the freezing rate. It was now s'/»d, which would compare very favorably with that ruling anywhere else. _ There '.was a possibility of freezing works being established near Wellington harbor, which would mark a very satisfactory advance. The association had also taken up marine insurance, and had been able to save olhoiit £7OO to the' thirty-five factories which had participated in the scheme. Generally speaking, he claimed that the association was doing everything to further and safeguard the interests of its members in every possible way. Among other things it had done much indenting, some 1700 tons of manure alone being obtained in this manner. It was, however, working on a basis which was hardly satisfactory, owing to its lack of capital. On one occasion he had to give a personal guarantee of £IOOO to finance an operation. Altogether there were many ways in which the association could benefit its members if they would pull together. (Hear, hear.)

The motion was seconded by Mr. Adlam (Oakura). ' AN UNSATISFACTORY POSITION. Mr. Welsh (Dalefield) said he would like, to know if the executive had any scheme to offer for the improvement of the association's finances. It appeared to him that the association was now working on the balances due to various factories. He knew of several which had been kept out of their surpluses for a long time. This was a very undesirable position, and he hoped the executive would evolve some plan for improving it. In the case of his own factory the payments for five or six shipments had been withheld. This was most unsatisfactory, for it meant that some factories were obtaining benefit from the Home operations •even thoneh they were not entitled to it. "The position is," said tlie chairman, '•(hat there have been no surpluses at all so far as butter factories are concorned." He added that the executive had prewired a scheme for the improvement of the finances. The, suggestion was that factories should put in a p.n. for €lO for every 100 tons of butter and one for £5 for every 100 tons of cheese. Some of the larger factories had now got a p.n. for £3O and others ranging from -£1.(1 to £3O. If the scheme were carried out they would be able to raise their finances to about I' WOO. If anything had been held back (luring the season it was by certain firms to meet overdraws by other factories.

THE PROBLEM OF FIXAXCE. Mr. Hubbard (Thames \ allev) asked for information respecting the Auckland office, which lie claimed was self-sup-porting. He. also sought fuller light on (lie new scheme for financing the association, urging that sooner or later it would have to be formed into a limited liability concern; at any rate, the indenting portion of the business. The chairman urged that the giving of p.n.'.s would not increase the liability of members, but would certainly make the financial position more stable. To another questioner, he said he did not see how any force could toe used to induce members to give p.n.'s. Mr. Adlam said that the Wairarapa factories would not stand the present position much longer. Tf factories which did not take part in the obligations were to get benefit from the action of those who did, the Wnirarapa factories would "throw out." Replying to a number of questions, the secretory, Mr. ,T. G. Harkne.ss, said - that the association waa taking absolnHv all risks over the insurances, right from the factory to the Home market. Me considered that the executive deserved great credit for insuring at 13s 6d which covered all charges. ' Mr. Mark (Mangatainoka) said he did not think the principle of using p.n.'s. would ever bo satisfactory in operation so long as indenting was continued. He thoiwriit some scheme should be devised bv which those benefiting in a specific wav should contribute accordingly. Mr. Oollis (Kairanga) expressed his

difficulty was to turn the associatiof into a joint stock company. Tltc reply of the chairman was that very great trouble would hb experienced in getting people to take up shares. He thought they could continue to work on credit very well for the present. The motion for adoption of the report and balance-sheet was carried without dissent.