CHEESE FOR SOLDIERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 September 1915, Page 7

CHEESE FOR SOLDIERS.

THE ARMY WANTS SUPPLIES. OFFER BEFORE T ARAN Aid FARMERS. SUGGESTED PRICE INCREASED. Cheese is one of the principal items in the menu' for the British soldier, and the National Dairy Association of New Zealand has been requested by the Government to convene meetings of directors of the various cheese manufacturing companies in tho dominion to consider the question of selling a portion of the dominion's output of cheese to the Imperial Government, to be, used for the purpose of supplying the" British Army. The first meeting was fixed for Taranaki, and it took place at the Opera House, Hawera, yesterday. There was a large attendance over which Mr. A, Morton, chairman of the National Dairy Association, presided. In explaining the object of the meeting, the chairman said he was glad to see such a large gathering of factory directors—it was probably the largest gathering of factory directors ever held in Taran&lu. A week ago, he said, the Imperial Government, through New Zealand's High Commissioner, cabled out to the New Zealand Government asking whether it was possible for tie Dominion Government to provide a certain quantity of cheese every month for the next six months for the use of the British Army. The Government approached the National Dairy Association, and when Mr. Morton was in Wellington last week the matter was referred to him by the secretary of tho association, and Mr. Morton subsequently had a conference with Mr. Cuddio (the Director of the Dairy Division) and Mr. Pope (the Secretary of the Department), as an outcome of which it was decided to call a meeting of the factory directors of Taranaki to discusso the matter. This was the first of a series of meetings to be held in different parts of the dominion. Otago and Southland were to hold a meeting next day, and what was done by the Taranaki people would offer a guide to the southern people. Mr. Morton was aware that most of the factories had already made arrangements for disposing of their outputs on a consignment basis, but he thought that in such circumstances as had arisen it would bo possible, if the factory directors wished to sell a portion of their outputs to the Imperial Government, to make suitable arrangements with the firms which had bought the butter. Mr. Morton then said the meeting would require to give an opinion as to whether the meeting should be a private one confined solely to factory directors or whether buyers and the press should be allowed to remain.

The matter was put to the meeting, and ■it was unanimously decided that buyers and the press should be admitted to the meeting. Continuing, Mr. Morton said the offer was 1000 tons of cheese per month at 6Jd f.o.b. New Zealand. The whole question was fully explained in a circular received by the National Dairy Association from the Department of Agriculture, which was as follows:-—"Confirm-ing arrangement arrived at as the result of our conference on 2nd inst. in regard to tho offer of the Home Office to purchase a large quantity of cheese, I have the honor to request that the association will convene meetings at Hawera and other cheese centres that may be arranged later, of directors of cheese factories for the purpose of ascertaining whether the factories are willing to accept the offer of the War Office to take 1000 tons of cheese per month from October to March, inclusive, the cheese to be packed one cheese in each crate, and the battens to be spaced a quarter of an inch apart and wired at both ends, the price to be 6£d f.o.b, the, War Office not to provide for shipping. The price offered appears to me to be an excellent one, but, apart from this, I have no doubt that the patriotism of tho leaders of the cheese industry in New Zealand may be relied upon to ensure that the meetings will give with enthusiasm an affirmative reply to the offer in question. I need scarcely point out that at the bottom the deal is between the New Zealand cheese factory suppliers and the Home taxpayers, and, seeing that the latter have, ever since the establishment of this colony, provided for its security from foreign aggression, and seeing that they are now bearing practically the whole of the burden of the British Navy, it would indeed be strange if there were to be any haggling over accepting such a fine price as is now open to us." Proceeding, Mr. Morton said there was no doubt some people would think the price offered was low, but the indications for the coming season were not so bright as those of last season, and in these circumstances it might be thought that 6Jd was a fair price. If, however, it was thought the price was too low, then a higher price could be suggested, and negotiations could be opened with the department, for it was possible a higher price would be given than that mentioned noxv. There was no doubt farmers would have to allow tho spirit of patriotism to enter into the matter, anil should not consider the offer from an entirely commercial point of view. Taranaki was the largest dairying district in the dominion, and It was Taranaki's duty to give a lead, and it was felt that if the offer was to find favor in the South Island approval would first have to come from Taranaki.

MR. CUDDIE'S REMARKS. Mr. D. Cuddie, Director of the D&iry Division, said the large attendance was nil indication that the question was regarded as of the greatest importance. After detailing the position on similar lines to the chairman, Mr. Cuddie said Taranaki had been selected as the place to get an expression of opinion because Taranaki was the largest cheese producing province in New Zealand. It would probably depend on the decision arrived at that day whether the matter would bo taken further and discussed at other centres, and it was hoped to obtain from that meeting material with which to reply to the Imperial Government and so open the way to further negotiations. The proposition was entirely a business one, and the factories would receive what was considered a fair market price, while, at the 6ame time, the producers would be assisting the War Office and the gallant soldiers in the field. Moat cheese factories had doubtless already arranged to consign their output, but Mr. Cuddie thought it would be found that the door was still open to enable them to accept the offer of the Imperial Government. To fulfil the order it would be necessary to take over from 6ixtecn to twenty per cent, of the dominion's output, for the factories would

have to. guarantee to send 1000 tons every month.

Mr. S. Turner, representing Messrs Lonsdale and Co., said lie had no doubt his firm would agree to allow the factories to sell a proportion of their cheese to the British Government, so long as the factories got what was considered a reasonable price. He cabled his Arm on Tuesday in reference to this meeting, and asked what the price of cheese was, and he received a reply that the present market rate was a little under 7d. The present market for cheese was bad. He pointed out that if the cheese ¥»8 cold at BJd, factories took the risk of a short season. Everyone was anxious to see the British Government and the troops have all the support they coald give, but reports from Canada showed that it was r.ot believed the troops eat four.ounces of cheese a day.

The chairman: The ration ia two ounces a day. Continuing, Mr. Turner said his firm would put nothing in the way of this deal, but they would like factories to consult with them as to filing a fair market price,

GOVERNMENT SHOULD TAKE CHEESE.

Mr, Forsyth (Eltliam) said it was felt tho market avss going to go higher than GJd, jind lie thought many factories would think they were giving something away and that all factories should be placed on the same footing. It was a busines? proposition with factories, who would seo if they could get more than Old by consigning Home.

Mr. Cuddie mentioned that the Home Government had already purchased cheese for the army at OJd. Mr. Green (Rahotu) thought if this was done most of the cheeso factories would go for butter. He thought the only thing to be done was for the Government to commandeer 20 per cent or 25 per cent, of the output, and then everyone would be placed on the same footing. The chairman said the question- of commandeering cheese had been discussed by the department, but before they would do this they had to put the question of selling the cheese before the factories. If the suggestion to sell at 6jd was not agreed to, it was quite likely the Government would then commandeer the cheeso in the same way that they had commandeered the meat. Mr. McCormick (Kaponga) was not in favor of the cheese being commandeered, but he thought the factories should come to some arrangement by vrhich they would sell a portion of their output to the Imperial Government. In answer to a question, the chairman said this movement must be a dominion movement. If it was decided by Taranaki to sell to tho Imperial Government then this decision would only be conditional on the other parts of the dominion coming into line. Mr. Wright (Rahotu) favored the idea of commandeering 15 per cent, or 20 per cent, of the cheeEe output. Mr. McPhillips (Kaupokonui said that as 7d to 7id was offered at the present time, he would suggest that the Home Government should offer 7d if they wanted tho cheese. The Government should take the matter in hand. Let them offer 7d or a fair price, and then commandeer what they required. If this was done all the factories would have to come into line. HIGHER PRICE WANTED.

Mr. Corrigan (Hawera) agreed with the previous speaker, and he moved: "That the Government be asked to commandeer 20 per cent, of the output of the cheese of New Zealand pro rata from every cheese factory, at 7d per lb f.0.b."

Mr. Green (RaJiotu) seconded the resolution.

Mr. Hickey (Riverdale) suggested that a committee should be appointed to fix the price. • Mr. Marx (Mangatoki) thought that before the meeting committed itself the meeting should be adjourned. He agreed with the motion, with the exception of the price. They were contributing their quota in blood and money, and tljey would contribute further by taxation, and he did not see why cheese factories should further help in the way suggested. It was necessary to ask the Government to commandeet the cheese and put all the factories in the same position. But Mr. Marx felt that before anything was done the meeting should be adjourned so that directors could talk over the matter and consult their fellow directors. Everyone, he thought, agreed with the proposal. Mr. J. G. Harkness, secretary of the National Dairy Association, said that of the 1000 tons proposed to be sent it was suggested that tho South Island should supply 250 tons and the North Island 760 tons. If this was done now it would be impossible for the South Island to supply such a quantity of cheese, and it would be necessary for the North Island to make up the balance which the South Island could not supply. Later in the season the South Island would be able to make up its full portion. The Imperial Government was not going to pay any more fabulous prices such as had been paid last year. If the Imperial Government had to pay as high as Sd for cheese it would .cut cheese out of the rations, and then the price of cheese would not be 6d. It was not right for producers to attempt to exploit the Government. The man who was exploiting the Government at such a time as this should be put! in prison. Mr. Turner (Messrs Lonsdale and Co.) said that as far as the farmers of Taranaki were concerned there was no exploitation on their part, and therefore they did not benefit by the high prices ruling last year. Mr. Arlow (Messrs Wcddel and Co.) said that if the British Government commandeered cheese the market would go up, but if the cheese was not taken the market would be bad.

ACTION NOT BINDING. Mr. Marehant (Cardiff) agreed with the resolution. As to the price, he would suggest that a conference should take place between the Goverii»iient and representatives of the cheese factories to decide on a fair price. It was a pity this matter had not come up before Die factories had made their arrangements with the cheese buyers. Mr. Corrigan said a good many of the factory directors thought the cheese miglit he held up in store and he wished to amend his resolution "by inserting "at the grading stores," instead of "f.0.b." This amendment to the resolution was agreed to. Mr. Marx moved an amendment that the resolution should be agreed to with the exception of the price which should bo 7Jd. He thought that at this price it would be considered tliev were moderate in their request, for he heard that 7%d was now offered (for cheese. Mr. O'Rorke (Oaenui), seconded. In answer to a question, the chairman said any resolution passed would only bo a recommendation and would in no way be binding. ' The chairman also stated that if the season's output wan equal to that of last year, twenty per tent. of the output would be about equal to •what the IShperia) Government asked .fot, ~

Mr. Tooney (Opunake), did not think it war; a credit to the farmers of Taraa#ki to l»c wasting tiaw discoashig the matter, lie- woaW Efco to see the Gotcraiant commandee.- twenty per coat. a". tJio oxtipat, for faraiers could well tufard to do as fje Government bad suggested. If it bad not been for tho war fanners would not have get the high prices they had received, and they should be prepared to make sacrifices. Mr. Corrigan said it behoved fairoew to meet tho Imperial Government in every way they could. He felt certain the only right course was for the Government to commandeer the chese. Farmers had experienced good timcs ; and they could well afford to make this sacrifice. In regard to the amendment, it only made a difference of Jd in (price, and he was not going to debate over that.

Mr. Maxwell (Raliotu) hoped the meeting would support the resolution, for .he thought 7d was a fair price Though the cost of living and the cost of manufacture had gone up he felt that 7d would leave a profit equal to that obtained in years before the war. It was not right that fanners should try to extract as much mormy as tliey could from the Home Government at a time like the present. As it was thought dairymen had made a great deal of money last year owing to the war lie would like to point out that some dairy companies actually netted less money last year than they had ever done before. No doubt some dairy companies had made money out of the war, but this did not apply to all. Mr. Wright (Rahotu) said that New /.ealand was paying Is 4d per bead in taxation against H7s fid per head paid in Great Britain, and in this he could not see how there was any great sacrifice here.

The amendment was then put and lost.

Mr. Batten (Riverdals) then moved a further amendment as follows: "That this meeting recommends the Government to commandeer cheese required by the Imperial Government, taking proportionate quantities from each cheese factory through the Dominion at a price to be fixed by a committee of representatives from cheese factories and the Government."

Mr. Forsyth seconded this amendment, but was also lost.

A further amendment fixing the price at 7Jd was also lost. The motion thaT &e Government be asked to commandeer 20 per cent, of the output of New Xealarai, pro . rata from every cheese factory, at 7d per lb at the grading stores,"was then put and carried.