DAIRY PRODUCTION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 39, 25 November 1938, Page 3

DAIRY PRODUCTION.

SERIOUS FALLING OFF.

GOVERNMENT ACTION URGED

(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Nov. 24

This season’s decline in dairy production and the seriousness of any continued falling off were referred to by Air A. 11. Johnston, chairman of tho Southland executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union during the monthly meeting of the' Dominion executive to-day. Tlje Government, said Mr Johnston, was. beginning to realise the . seriousness of declining production. If this country was to weather any storm which might come production could not be allowed to fall, but under the present conditions it could not bo. maintained in volume. Furthermore its * value was likely to decline also.

To safeguard the country and the man on the land steps must be taken to arrest the contraction in the volume of production. Different provinces had discussed land settlement policy with a view to settling young men. It was desirable to have such a scheme, hut before bringing in more land, the man already farming land must be protected. To safeguard the national position some unpalatable things would have to be done. If the Government was willing to face the position the farmjers would co-operate with it willingly.