DRIED MILK INDUSTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 July 1918, Page 2

DRIED MILK INDUSTRY.

MLDTINU AT MAWJSItA. A COMMITTEE SET Hl'. A very largo and representative meeting of lli'jso interested in dairying in Taranakl was held at Ilaivcra on Saturday. Mr. A. Morton, who presided, said the meatv [ng was tiie outcome of a meeting held recenfty In Hawera, when it had heeu suggested that representatives of tho dairy factories should be railed together to consider means for securing further information relating to the dried milk indu.-itry. Ho referred to the manufacture of dried milk by a proprietary concern and also to the arrangements made at the Waikato for the establishment of threo factories there. Ho mentioned the delegation sent by them to gather the latest information in America on the question.. Only ono ilelegato had so far returned, but the information available was sufficient to ivarrant that company going fully into the matter. Ho pointed out that unless the dairy farmers went futo the industry on co-operative lines they would doubtless he exploited by a proprietary concern. An attempt had beon mado to get representatives from tlia Waikato to eomo down and explain the project to local dairymen, but they were too busy with their own factories and could not coma until they saw them in working order. The position thou was that they would have to take some other means of getting the necessary information. Ha thought a committee might be set up, but it should he realised that the expenses of such a commttteo would bo very iteavy and means would have to bo provided for meeting that expenditure. Ho realised the difficulties, and also the high cost of setting up a plant for the production of dried milk. On account of the high, boiler powor required the coal consumption was enormous. Amongst other essentials were also a very largo water supply and thorough drainage, and the factory must necessarily be in close proximity to the lailway. It would bo seen, therefore, that it was not an enterpriso to be embarked upon rashly, and he hoped that whatever wa3 done would ho done wlUi caution and proceed on tho right lines. Mr. Forsyth (Eltnani) said that from in> formation that was available it was now evident that tho farmers had not been getting all out of the business that there was in it. He said it was necessary for tho Taranakl farmers to tackle the question for themselves. It would not, perhaps, bo possible to do much during the war, but the investigations could be made. He hoped that whatever was done would bo done on co-operatlvo lines. If money had been spent on inquiries a few year 3 ago it wa3 likely they would not have been "up against it" as they were to-day, and if they did not do something soon they would bo compelled to hi a short time as a matter of self-defence. He then moved: "That for tho purpose of furthering the Interests of the dairy industry this meeting is of opinion that tho time has arrived for the dairy companies to make tho fullest investigation, and that a committee be set up wit hpower to send a delegation to America or elsewhere for tho purpose of obtaining information regarding the manufactures of dried mlUt, mliit sugar, and allied products, and the market values thereof." Mr. Gano seconded tho motion. He advocated, however, that they should continue to make cheese until after tho war, as it was the most portable of our foodstuffs and wa3 required for those at tho front. Ho hoped tho whole of the factories in Taranakl would stand together in the matter. Mr. Murdoch asked if anyone in New Zealand held patent rights foe the manufacture, of dried mill;. Tho cliairmatt replied that no one held patent rights over tho process at present In use. Ho said, however, that it was likely the Waikato people had secured rights over the process they intended to adopt, but he understood that when they had got their concern into working order they would be prepared to negotiate with any other co-operatlVQ company in any other district. Mr. J. S. Connett said he was sure the North Taraanki factories wore as keenly interested in the project as woro tiio southern factories,, and ho took It, from the representative character of the meeting,, that tho whole of the factories in Taranakl would be prepared to contribute to tlia cost of inquiries on a pro rata basis, whatever tho result of thoso Inquiries might be. In reply to a question from Mr. Gibson (Kahotu) the chairman stated that the resolution did not bind the factories to any financial undertaking, but ho thought it fair to infer from tho largo and representative gathering that the committee would have the backing of tho factories. Tho matter was of such vital importance that ho did not think any factory would decline to shoulder its share of tho cost of investigation. Mr. Powdrell said, that in following out the plan of tho resolution nothing would bo lost, even if the inquiries were resultless. It might be that the small factories would not be ablo to join in If tho industry was established, but they would then be in a better position, as the other factories would he making less cheese. If half the big factories wero able to go in, then tho others would benefit on the lines he had suggested. Referring to the cost of a dried milk plant, he stated that for a plant to deal with, a 12,000 gallon supply for 24 hours a day the machinery and other plant would cost to-day in England £12,384, without reckoning buildings. The great necessity was a very high boiler pressure. He did not, however, advocate a waiting policy on that account. Itather, ho thought it would be as well to buy a plant at present, and so get the advantage of the high prlce3 ruling for the product of their factory. Mr. Mars said the committee must get information a3 to tho prospects of the trade and the Biarkcta for the goods. Ho did not think there was much risk in the undertaking when a big proprietary concern was prepared to go Into tho business, and on such a scale as to become a terror to their neighbors, ne believed there was a tremendous future before the Industry, and also for the sugar of milk manufacture, neither of which would interfere with tho foodstuffs now being sent Home. Ho thought it possible that a large Incroaso In tho returns from the industry might be secured, and the .cost would bo a mere bagatelle to Taranakl. The discussion then turned on what would be the attitude of the Government towards the proposal, seeing that it involved tho diversion from cheese and butter-making to that of dried milk, and as to whether tlies' would object to a large sura of money being diverted to the purpose proposed during war time. To this it was replied that as the Government had not prevented a proprietary concern from starting in the Industry they would not be llkoiy to place anything in tho way of a cooperative company making better nso of the byproducts of tho industry. It was also pointed out that tlte Government could not deal with, a large community of producers In the same way that it might deal with single or a few factories attempting to engage in tin* dried milk industry. Ultimately Mr. Burgos 3 (WareaV moved an: amendment to the effect that a commutes be set up to obtain all the information available in New Zealand and report tho same to a future meeting, which should then decide whether or not it was necessary to send a delegation, abroad. The amendment was seconded by Mr. Green (Rahntu). A long and somewhat acrimonious discussion, then took place a3 to the powers that should bo given to the committee, and also as to how the cost of the work of the committee was to he met. During the discussion tho question was raised as to what had been done. by a committeo previously set up by tho National Dairy Association to investigate such matters as that under discussion, and of which no report had ever been mado. Several speakerp also asked why the National Dairy Association itself could not supply the information sought.' Mr. Forsyth contended that wide powers must he given to the committee, which would naturally make uso of tho available information in New Zealand before considering going a-broad. They must work through tho Government, the National Dairy Association, and the Dairying Division. The question of markets was a very vital one, and ho did not think the necessary information could be obtained without delegates going abroad. Mr. Corrlgan stated that in conversation with tho Minister of Agriculture ho had gathered that the Government were investigating tho question, and would be ablo to supply all the data that the meeting required before long. He said the Minister had spoken confidentially on several matters, but drew attention to a warning given to cheese factories contemplating going into the dried milk industry. '■!.- thought, however, the committee should be given wide powers, and If they did not do what tho meeting expected them to they would get' "what-oh 1" Mr. Brown asked what the National Dairy Association was for if not to get just the information that the meeting was seeking. If they could not supply it then they were not worth their salt. Further, tho National Dairy Association had a representative In England, and all tho Information to be obtained could be got through him'. He did not think anyone else' going would lie. able to get any more information than that representative could. Mr. Powdrell, replying to the charges against tile committee previously set up, said that all the information obtainable in New Zealand had beon secured, and the reason it had not been given was that some of "it had come to hand only that morning. Mr. Morton said the -committee was not set up by tho National Dairy Association, but by a representative meeting of dairymen, and all the information gathered was on the table in the shape of a report, giving details of the industry much on the lines as had been already stated, and embracing specifications for a factory and tly> cost of plant, etc. In reply to suggestions that the National Dairy Association should gather the information, ho said if that was done the information would bo avaUablo for the who! 3 industry, including the. proprietary concerns, and not merely for tho Taranakl producers. The amendment, on being put to the meeting, was carried by a substantial majority, and on being put as the substantive motion was carried without dissent. Mr. Buckerldge then moved that the National Dairy Association tie requested to establish a permanent intsmatton department for ta» KB*

ng industry;' . seconded by Mr.. Jelly it infom iaicu. They wcte i to withdraw their obj ommittee was elected. ,» cs< ,j *-„„. . ott, Murdoch, Corrigan, Morton. ForBuckeridge. ition of funds for the committee to ts inquiry was then discussed- nnd I eed lo circularise the fnctorie :ontribution fi'ora each pro rata t. " I f thanks to the, chairman concluded