MILK SUPPLIERS' UNION AND DAIRY ASSOCIATION.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 346, 27 September 1898, Page 4

MILK SUPPLIERS' UNION AND DAIRY ASSOCIATION.

THE following correspondence has been handed to us for public- 'ion : Cambridge, September 2nd, 1898. W. SpRAKO, R'Q., Manager New Zealand Dairy Association, Auckland.Dear Sir,—l am d'noted to inform you that the supplier* of Waikato have formed themselves into a Union for the purpose of being unanimous in regard to matters relating to the dairv industry. I kerewith send you a copy of our rules. I am informed to say that, this Union is in no way formed to be hostile to your company, and we trust that always we shall be able to work together amicably for our mutual advantage. The suppliers expect an advance in price this >eason, and object to the wording of some of your conditions, and I am' instructed to ask if you would meet at an early date a • general meeting of suppliers at. Hamilton at 10.30 a.m. Hoping to have au early and favourable reply,—l am, dear sir, yours faithfully, Martin Butler, lion, sec. Waikato Milk Suppliers' Luiod. New Zealand Dairy Association, Auckland, New Zealand, September 7th, 189 S.—Martin Butler, Esq., Cambridge.—Dear Sir,—l am in receipt of your favour of the 4th and also of the rou-di draft of rules. I understand these rule's are intended for the guidance of some of our friends, and that they have been sent to ine as an act of courtesy, for which I thank you. 1 notice you say that the new organisation, which is spoken of, is in no way hostile to ourselves. I do not gather that I am invited to express an opinion upon it, nor would it be proper for me to do so, excepting to sa'y I understand that, for the present, it will not be in a position to represent even an important proportion of our suppliers, and therefore is not a suitable channel through which we may deal with them. Within its sphere it may afford advantages to those connected with it. Under any circumstances I do not anticipate it will occasion any feeling on my part other than of friendliness towards it. Later on when it is in a position to negotiate upon its own account to take over our business from us I shall meet its proposals with most friendly and favourable consideration. I understand you are not a milk supplier. If I am wrong in this conclusion will you kindly correct me, as I hold it my duty to at once give my best attention to representations made by any supplier, and I should then have pleasure in entering with you into consideration of questions of moment between milk suppliers and ourselves. However, in acknowledgement of the courtesy of your present letter, let me briefly say that having returned to the control of my business 1 am devoting myself to the investigation of our affairs, and shaU. as soon as I have had time to understand them, again seek to adjust matters so that they may continue to rest upon a basis of mutual advantage to all concerned. Let me also add that as soon as I can collect necessary information I will put myself in communication with some of the representative milk suppliers, and •will seek to learn in what manner I can serve them. I will then suggest for the consideration of our suppliers such steps as may commend themselves to me as likely to promote the well-being of the industry. With expressions of personal respect for yourself,—l remain, yours faithfully, Wesley Sfragg, Manager. Dear Sir,—l beg to acknowledge your favour of the 7th inst., in reply to my ..'letter requesting you to hx a date to meet the milk suppliers, and informing you of the organisation of a Waikato Milk Suppliers Union. You say that for the present you understand that the Union will not be in a position to represent even an important proportion of your suppliers, and therefore is not a suitable channel through which you may deal with them ; but you do not state the source of your information, and I think when I inform you that the Union comprises, with one exception,the whole of the creameries in the Waikato district, you will be able to see that your information is not correct, and that the Union is the proper channel through which you should deal with the supplierl' I may say in passing that it was in consideration of the one creamery which had not joined the Union that you were asked to meet the suppliers, instead of the officers of the Union only, to debate the prices and scales under which you offer to receive milk this season. You are right in your conclusion that I am not a milk supplier to your Association ; but as I was unanimously elected Secretary of the Union at a full meeting of the delegates representing the creameries in the Waikato district, I consider that I am duly qualified to communicate with you on matters affecting my employers, who are suppliers. I have, therefore, the honour to repeat the request of my letter of 6th inst., that you will fix an early date to meet the suppliers of the district at Hamilton. I thank you for the courteous tone of your letter, and the expressions of \ personal respect contained therein. Awaiting an early and favourable reply. —I am, etc., Martin Butler, Hon. Secretary, Waikato Milk Suppliers Uniou, Cambridge, 14th September, 1898. New Zealand Dairy Association, Auckland, New Zealand, September loth, 1898.—Mr Martin Butler, Cambridge.—Dear Sir,—l have received your letter of the 14th. You must pardon me for supposing time I have some claim to consider myself a judge of my own position and of my responsibilities to my clients. I desire to avoid anything that might have the appearance of being either intentional or careless curtness in my dealings with you or anyone else. I therefore go out of my way to once more courteously say that I am not unmindful of my relations with my suppliers nor of my responsibilities to them, and that at the earliest convenient time I shall take proper means to communicate with the whole of them. I respectfully advise you that I cannot prolong this correspondence with your good self.—Yours faithfully, Wesley Svrauo, Manager. In reference to the price of butter, the following letter appeared in the N.Z. Herald of 23rd inst:—Sir,—We have again to point out to the producing community the manner in which they are deprived of the profit which should accrue as a natural sequence of their hard work. Butter has been extremely scarce up to date, owing to the cold, wet weather, principally ; so scarce, indeed, that several of our best factories have been unable to supply their regular customers, consequently prices have ruled high and farmers' pats have averaged as high values as best fresh factory rolls. In the face of these facts the local Dairy Association suddenly reduced their price for best rolls to JUd per lb, a reduction of 2d pier lb. Knowing that this was not legitimate, we searched for some light upon tht! subject, and arc assured, upon the best authority, that the following explanation is correct:—Butter being so scarce and dear, it paid the farmer better to make up pats and send into Auckland for sale than to send the milk into the Association's creameries. This did not suit the manager of the institution in question, so he decided to reduce the price of factory rolls 2d per lb. toll knowing that this would have the effect of iorcing down farmers' to, say. Bd, at which price it would pay better to send milk to the creamery than to trouble about manufacturing. This sort of thing is looked upon as quite legitimate in Auckland, but is such a burning question with the farmers that we crave space for its ventilation, and trust tiiat in the near future the farmers of the Waikato will eombiuc and demand fair market values. Y ours, etc., Alex. Aitken and Co. September 21, 189 S.—ln reply the Herald published the following paragraph :—"Referring to Alex. Aitken and Co.'s letter ou the prie j . of butter, the manager of the New

Zealand Dairy Association informs us I Imt the reduction to the spring price has taken place rather litter this year than is usual, that stocks ,-wv accumulating, that current quoiati-.ui j , subject as they are to deductions, on account, of die cost of distribution, etc., am better than prices which may be expected from the English market ; that believing this, his association has supplied several importers of Tarainki butter at current quotations and Ins n fused none, thai still strcks are accumulating, that he rto»s not hope to he able to conduct his bus'ness so that it will always suit Mr Aitkrii, or any other competitor and importer of Taranaki butter, but that he will try to avoid unfriendly conduct towards them and everybody ebe."