SUBSIDIES AND QUOTA.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 69, 22 March 1934, Page 27

SUBSIDIES AND QUOTA.

I would like to commcnt on the feeble efforts being made by the dairy industry to correct their troubles. The latest move, of raising the price of milk, will prove a costly mistake. A drop in consumption will more than offset the rise, besides working a real hardship on

ilic less fortunate members of the community. To justify a, rise in price the consumer is enttiled to bettor value, but no effort is being made to give a better grade milk, and a more sanitary delivery of sanle. A-high grade, certified milk, for infant feeding, produced and delivered upder the highest standard of sanitation, could command a higher price if intelligently marketed. Instead of a subsidy to dairy farmers, let the Government make a loan, where necessary, to private enterprise for the manufacture of canned milk, canned butter, powdered milk, scientific baby foods, etc.. and further assist by removing the duties on tin and machinery. This would absorb the surplus milk and a lot of surplus labour. If New Zealand butter is "the finest n the world" (and it could be), then it will command top price in London if properly distributed. All efforts should bo made to find out why it is not doing so. By

reducing the price of cream to Gd a pint, every family in New Zealand would be made a potential customer for a half-pint or more daily. This would show a better profit than butterfat at present prices, and tho quota would 110 longer loom as a menace. DUMBELL.