THE NEW ZEALAND DAIRY ASSOCIATION.

Waikato Argus, Volume II, Issue 150, 24 June 1897, Page 4

THE NEW ZEALAND DAIRY ASSOCIATION.

The following circular will be addressed to milk suppliers by Mr Wesley Spragg, the manager : A month has passed since wc scut out voting papers upon the result of which we proposed to decide the length of the coming milk season. The whole of these papers have not yet been returned to us. Each mail is still bringing in a batch of them ; but as the season is so nearly at hand it appears desirable that yon should be advised of a conclusion without delay- We have, therefore, closed the poll, and have accepted the votes which we have received up to date as settling the matter. The result of the poll is as follows : Votes. For the old term of eight months... 104 For the term of nine months, including May .. ... ... 313 For the term of nine months, including August and omitting May " -. ITS For the term of ten months, including both August and May... 121 From these figures it will be seen that there is a general desire to have a longer term. Wc have, therefore, decided that our contract period for the season 1597-9 S shall be in accordance with the largest vote, namely—from September to May inclusive. This will apply to all creameries. To meet the wishes of the considerable number who have asked for the inclusion of August we have, for this season, decided to open our creameries for that month in the several districts where the voting of the people indicates that they wish to supply for ten months. This arrangement will not only meet the wishes of those interested but will test the practicability of a ten months' term. As it is certain that for a first season the August month must be run at a considerable loss to ourselves, I have to request that all who have voted for it will make such large preparation for supplying as will help to reduce that loss.' The following are the districts in which the creameries will be opened from August to May inclusive : —Pukekohe, I'okeno, Pukekura, Mauku, Pukerimn, Maungatawhiri, Waiuku, Puni, Hamilton, Waipipi, Bombay, Ngaruawahia, Otaua and Te Awamutu. The following are the districts in which the creameries will be opened from September to May inclusive : —Tuakau, Kihikihi, Whatawhata, l'apatoitoi, Te Kowhni, Ohaupo, Ramarama, Pirongia, Paterangi and Tc Aroha. The several new creameries which are being established will open as soon as they are ready, and will finish their term at the end of May. Sub-clause (a) of condition 10 of the last seasons agreement reads as follows : —" Provided that if the total sum paid for all milk received at the whole of the Association's creameries for the season does not equal an average of twopence three-farthings per gallon, the balance to make up the average to that price shall, at the end of the season, be paid over to the suppliers pro rata, in pro portion to the quantity of milk which they have individually supplied." Referring to this I have to inform you that the completed accounts of payments made for milk for the past season show that during that season we received 2,934,195 gallons of milk of 36 butterfat quality, for which we paid £33 494 17s 7d, or an average of 2'7397 pence per gallon. In accordance with our terms wc have to pay to all last season's suppliers an extra sum of Id per 100 gallons upon all the milk which they supplied. This will make up the average price paid for 3 6 milk to 2Jd per gallon for season of eight months, skim milk returned free. As the sums which are due to individual suppliers on this account are not large enough to be sent out separately they may be sent to nominated persons in each district to be distributed, or, failing that, they will be added to the payments for the milk of September next.