MEETING OF MILK SUPPLIERS.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 317, 21 July 1898, Page 3

MEETING OF MILK SUPPLIERS.

A meeting of Waikato milk suppliers waa held at the conclusion of the meeting of the Farmers' Club at Ohaupo on Tnesday morning. Capt. Runeiman, who presided, said that, as the season for a certain number of creameries would open in about three weeks' time, he had convened the meeting in order l that suppliers might have an opportunity of discussing those matters which affected their interest generally. They had no particular grievance, lint it was the only time of the year that they had the privilege of making their wishes and desires known. An invitation to attend the meeting had been sent to a representative of the N.Z. Dairy Association, but bo was sorry to say he was not present, and, whilst admitting that the representative had not the power to modify the conditions already in existence, he considered the suppliers had beeu treated with very scant courtesy. Mr Can© read a letter he. had received from Mr Pnc'jy, of the N.Z. Dairy Association, in which he said that pressure of business prevented him attending the meeting at Ohaupo. He had posted a copy of the conditions for suppliers, at the same time informing them that prices for milk would be the same as last year. Mr Finch said he thought clause 8, dealing with the ponalty for a breach of rules, was an arbitrary one. Mr Ryburn asked how many suppliers had complied with the conditions re washing cows udders? He had not Mr Finch said Mr McEwan had advised the farmers to rub the udders with a dry cloth, instead of washing them. Mr Gane referred to the lack of courtesy shown to the suppliers by the New Zealand Dairy Association not sending a representative to the meeting, if it was only to tell them that nothing could be done imtil Mr Spragg's return. What the suppliers wanted to know was why they should not have some advance in the price paid for milk. Mr Reynolds and Mr Spragg had told them that the Waikato butter was always at or near the top of the London market, and if this was so he did not see why the producers should not share in any profit made. (Hear, hear). He proposed that the creameries should be supplied ou the same conditions as formerly without prejudice- until Mr Spragg's return to the colony, when a meeting could be held to discuss the whole of the interests involved. Mr James supported the motion on condition that a clause was added, as follows : " That the milk suppliers do not sign the conditions, pending Mr Spragg's return." This was agreed to, and Mr Rybnni seconding, the motion was carried unanimously. Mr J. H. Mandeno thought thin would cause a good deal cf friction. He asked if the suppliers were prepared to keep their milk at home if the factory managers refused it. Mr Finch said if they commenced supplying without making some provision they would have to do so to the end. The Chairman, in answer to a question, said that Mr Spragg was expected home in September. Mr Jones referred to clause 12, dealing with the flavour of the milk, and moved that the company should lie asked to erect a pasteurising plant at Ngaruawahia, in order to obviate the difficulty of feeding on roots, etc. Mr Busck, the Government grader, had informed him that pasteurisation would remove such taints from the milk, and that experiments conducted down South had been most satisfactory. This would enable them to feed their cows and supply milk all the winter. Mr Baker seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr Gane once more called attention to Clause 8, in which the penalty for uonfulfilment of the conditions embraced all the money due for the previous months' milk. He proposed that the penalty should have some limit, Mr Bell seconded the proposition, which was carried. Mr Burke thought it would be a sufficient fine if the tainted milk was returned by the factory manager. Mr J. H. Mandeno said that the com pany had up to the pre ent treated the suppliers in a fair manner without taking undue advantage of the conditions, and he thought, they could rely on a continuance of that treatment. Just about this stage Mr Wallace Jones produced the report and balancesheet of the Riverdale Dairy Factory Company (Limited) for 1897. This is a co-operative concern in the Hawera district, which transacts all its business through Messsrs Lovell and Christmas. Payment is made on the butter fat principle, and the circular showed that the advance for the season 1597 to be per lb on butter—or equal to 3Jd per gallon —and 3}d per lb ou cheese. Mr J. Fisher then moved that this meeting is of opinion that the price paid should be 3d all through the season for 3 6 milk. This resolution was carried unanimously. Mr W. H. Mandeno did not think they would receive much consideration at the hands of the Company unless they could enforce their demands, and the only way to do that was to form a union of milk suppliers. (Applause). He proposed that a union of Waikato suppliers be formed, and that an organising committee of two delegates from each factory be appointed to make the necessary arrangements. This motion, too, was carried unanimously. It was decided to leave the resolutions referring to the pasteurising plant, and alterations in the conditions, in the shape of notices of motion to come up at the meeting to be held on Mr Spragg's return to the colony. This was all the business.