FALLING DAIRY PRODUCTION

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23002, 23 April 1940, Page 15

FALLING DAIRY PRODUCTION

- »“ RADICAL CHANGE OF POLICY URGED WARNING BY CHAIRMAN OF BOARD (rasas association teleobax.) PALMERSTON N. f April 22. Production has been falling in New Zealand during the last three seasons because dairying under to-day’s high cost conditions is less attractive than formerly. The present season’s small increase is not caused by any increased popularity of dairying. The symptoms that have caused a decline in past seasons are still there, and unless the weather is particularly favourable next season there is likely to be a downward trend once more, in spite of all the effort farmers will make to increase their production as part of the war effort. These statements were made by the chairman of the Dairy Produce Board (Mr W. E. Hale), in an address at the board’s ward conference. Without doubt, there was a feeling in all country districts that the effort required to produce a very modest living from dairying was much greater than that required from the majority of city workers, and that the hours and conditions* of work compared exceedingly unfavourably, Mr Hale proceeded. One would be more hopeful of the future if one saw some evidence that certain sections of the workers, for instance, the watersiders. were showing recognition of the fact that only by increased efficiency could better living conditions be secured for the dairy farmers, who were tied under the guaranteed price to very high standards of efficiency, standards which had been arbitrarily imposed by the Minister. Farm Labour Problem “I feel that it is about time that efficiency of a similar nature was demanded from other sections of the community in their work," he added. “It is difficult to attract labour to farms when, city conditions, both as to wages and hours of work, are made so extremely attractive. “Unless some very radical alteration is made in the present policy, 1 cannot see how increased production can be secured. The farm labour position is infinitely more serious to-day than it was last season, because of the large number of enlistments of country boys in the Army." Mr Hale added that assistance to the industry to improve the position could come by three ways—an increase in the guaranteed price, subsidies on fertilisers. wages, etc., or a reduction of costs. He also dealt with the menace of inroads made by margarine in the British market, and said the board was urging upon the Minister for Marketing the need to counteract this by an advertising campaign.