NO IMPROVEMENT.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20276, 19 August 1937, Page 14

NO IMPROVEMENT.

BUTTER BOX SHORTAGE. DIFFICULTY OF SUPPLY. USE OF SARANAC CONTAINERS. In addressing the annual meeting of the shareholders of the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company to-day, Mr C. J. Parlane, the general manager, said that the position In regard to supplies of white pine timber for the manufacture of butter boxes showed very little, if any, improvement on the position obtaining at this time last year- He then informed suppliers that, as it was impossible to secure their requirements of timber in the North Island, they had purchased a quantity from millers on the West Coast of the South Island, which, owing to the high cost of transport, had resulted in a very large increase in costs. Transport, however, had proved a veryserious difficulty indeed, as it frequently happened that when the timber was ready for shipment boats were not available to lift it. Owing to the Government’s policy of restricting the import of suitable containers, the position in regard to butter boxes became extremely serious for the dairy industry generally, with a result that the Government arranged with the Dairy Board to establish a box pool, and to this end representatives of the Forestry Department and the Dairy Board met their directors in November last year, l’or the purpose of discussing the position. Their board was then assured that if they came info the hex pool the Government would be able to so organise timber supplies that their requirements would be fully met, and in consequence, after a full discussion, they decided to link up for a period of two years. Unfortunately, however, the Government had apparently met with the same difficulties as they did in regard to transport, with a result that, notwithstanding nepeated assurances that their requirements of timber would be available, these had not materialised, and the position in regard to stocks was extremely unsatisfactory. Saranac Boxes a Success. As he had informed their shareholders previously, they anticipated the trouble they arc now meeting with in regard to timber supplies and investigated the whole position with a view to securing a suitable container to take the place of the white pine box. After carrying out fairly extensive experiments, they proved that the saranao type of box manufactured with the right quality of fibre board bodies and wooden ends made not only a satisfactory but also quite an attractive package, and one that would be accepted by the trade in the United Kingdom. Having a number of these packages on hand last autumn, they prevailed upon the departmental officers responsible to allow them to ship IUOO of these as a special test, and lie was pleased to say that they stood up to requirements very well indeed—as a matter of fact, a number of them were allowed to get very wet with rain while being unloaded, and as they were then apparently subjected to frost, they had a fair amount of ice adhering to them when they landed at the wharf. As was only to be expected, such drastic treatment gave the containers a sodden appearance, but when they dried out the fibre board returned to its original condition. More recently they received a permit to ship a further 20,000 of these containers, but as this was received very late in the season it was possible to ship only a portion of this i quantity, anil they were now awaiting the results from this further lest. In view of the exiremc difficulty that was now being experienced in securing supplies of white pine timber, it gave a feeling of security to know that they had a substitute immediately available that would do the Job—in fact it would probably be in the best interests of ltie industry if the Government wouul forthwith remove the ban on imported boxes .and allow a container made with fibre board bodies and wooden ends to be put into genAdverse Comment Unjustified. In view of the adverse comment that had been made during recent years concerning the Suitability of the saranac box, it was interesting to note the statement made by the Minister of Agriculture which appeared in the press of February 9 last, to the effect that he bad approved of the drafting of a regulation amending the dairy produce general regulations to the effect that as from August 1 the ‘standard’ type of butter box would lie deleted and leave the ‘sub-stand-ard’ and ‘saranac’ types which might thercafler lie used as containers l'ur butler for export. The reasons given |_>v the .Minister for the amending regulation were: (11 A saving of a large quantity of white pine timber annuallv. (.2) Simplifying the position for sa wmi Hers and box-makers as regards the thickness of boards for use in box making. (3) A reduction in the percentage of broken boxes as the ‘standard’ box, being unwired, was limn' pi-nun to damage than the wired “It is gratifying to note that those in authority have at last realised lha' nae |m\ was unjustified and they Mi in > > 1 'a i's past'," ml Mr Rariand. !n \iew of Ibis, it was unfortunate tainers when they announc' d H ■ guaranteed price for last season. This tax cost the suppliers £18,419, which has not proved justified, and in view of this, it would he a grar-.du! act on ltie part of the Government if !‘ic> refunded this amount to Hie companies concerned, more p n*« icul iriy because the total sum. if re*, lim d h> the Government. would be a i.-L gain to (be Daiiw Industry A.-vunt Abolishing Direct Tax. would be allowed with the sub-sland-inore p. r box for the pnrehf-.il ami slightly over I hi for the sub-standard box, so it was evident that it was md those companies which had provided for the use of the saranac b>.\ were to •Miry. Having sold millions of the sirlContinued in ueAt column.;

lon the United Kingdom market over i a number of years, they were in a posii tion to say definitely that parchfoil | wrapping paper was not essential to