FACTORIES' FEDERATION

Taranaki Daily News, 30 September 1940, Page 4

FACTORIES' FEDERATION

PAST YEAR'S ACTIVITY DAIRY INDUSTRY W0RK

Although nothing spectacular was achieved during the year, steady and consistent work on matters affecting the dairy industry was carried out, said Mr, F. Parsons, chairman, in making a review of the working of the Federation of Taranaki Co-operative Dairy Factories at the annual meeting held at Stratford on Saturday. Mr. Parsons was nevertheless able to show the meeting that the federation had taken an interest in a great, many phases of the industry in Taranaki and in the Dominion. There were about 80 delegates present from dairy factory companies all over the province. The federation took part in the investigation of the heavy traffic fees on farmers' trucks position, and ita representative, Mr. L, D. Hickford, presented a strong case at the conference at Wellington. In conjunction with the Farmers' Union the federation was instrumental in ihe formation of bobby calf pools.in Taranaki, and pools were now operating. It was hoped that eventually the whole province would come within the pool system. The federation's interest in the factory ' drainage disposal problem was maintained, and the matter of stream pollution was being watched by acclimatisation interests. Mr. Parsons appeuled to companies not to release whey into streams. Scason's Operations. The production and payment received during the past season was quite good, continued Mr. Parsons. Any leeway at the beginning of the season wa? made up at the close of the season. It seemed t.hat from the point of view of production the present season wouid be a good one. but the switch-over from butt.er to cheese was in some cases causing disorganisation. Some companies had lent eyerv co-operation to the scheme, but others had raised objections. Mr. Parsons appealed to all companies to do all in their power to fall in with and assist the drive for greater production of cheese, for the needs of Britain were great and presented a paramount call to the dairy industry. The farm labour problem was an intensive one. The Government was building huts for married men available. As long as the men could be obtained the scheme would be helpful. He thought insufficient attention had been paid in Ihe past to providing married men's quarters on farms. Ample quarters for married employee.s would do much towards easing the farm labour problem. The price for produce was the same as last year. but. an economic commission which would consider the question of increased costs was sitting. Vcterinary Scrvice. The veterinary service was doing good work and the veterinarians were kept extremely busy. The balance-sheet showed that the federation's excess of income over expenditure was £16 16s 2d. A debit of £94 11s 6d was shown in the veterinary service operations, but this was due to linving two veterinarians cngnged at the cnd of Ihe season when the calls upon their services were light, with a consequent falling-ofT in fees derived from the service. The dehit would doubtlessly be overcome in the present season. Fees and factory contributions derived during the past season amountcd to £2721 14s 6d. The retiring members of Ihe committee representing factories and shipping Uuough Moturoa, Messrs. H. E. Blyde,

L. J. Rundle and C. H. White, were reclected unopposed. Of the representatives of the companies shipping through Patea. Messrs. F. Muggeridge and A. B. Muggeridge rotationally retired. They w'ere nominated with the addition of Mr. W. G. Bolton, and on a ballot to fi 1 1 the two vacancies Messrs. W. G. Belton and F. Muggeridge were returned.