BUTTER AND CHEESE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3089, 21 May 1917, Page 6

BUTTER AND CHEESE

THE SHORTAGE OF SHIPPING ACTION BY NATIONAL DAIRY ASSOCIATION During last week the executive of tho , National Dairy Association met in JVellington, in order to consider the problems arising from the shortage of shipping. It interviewed the National Efficiency Board in order to urge the importance of the transport question, and suggest means of securing adequate freezing space of produce required to be held. Later the executive interviewed the Act-ing-Prime Minister (Sir Jam«s Allen), and asked for information regarding tho shipping prospects for the coming season, and as to whether the Government intended to purchase next season's cheeso.

Sir James Allen declared himself strongly in favour of doihg all that was possible to maintain the primary industries without any curtailment. The important matters raised by the deputation had already been considered by the Cabinet, and the whole subject had been referred to a combined board, consisting of members of the National _ Efficiency Bonrd. Board of Trade, and Military Supplies Board, whose recommendations to cope with the problem would receive the favourable consideration of the Cabinet, further, the Minister assured the deputation that the Imperial authorities, through the Eight Hon. W. F. Massey, had been requested to cable, giving information, without delay, in regard\to the possibility of tonnage being available for shipment of present frozen goods, what are'the prospects in this direction for the 1017-18 season, mid can the Got-. eminent indicate whether it proposes btiving New Zealand cheese next season. The figures collected by the National Dairy Association show that for the week ending Slay 12 there were 140,000 crates of cheese in grading stores in New Zealand. This quantitv should bo reduced by shipments to about: 100,000 cases during the next three weeks. The South Island Association reports the following exports for its year ending April 30 :— Butter, Cheese, boxes. crates. 'T.ytteHou '. 25.779 16.8R8 T)un°din 18,600 ?S.ISB Bluff - 74,578 "The difficulties referred to last rear' in carrying on the business of the association "have, during the last 12 months, not in any particular been modified," says the South Island Association. "The continually decreasing tonnage available for transport purposes and irregularities of departures have been a never-ending son rod of lulditional anxiety .\nd wort.

"Nohvithsta"din(f' the uncertainty in connection with the oversea trade with the United Kingdom and neutral countries (luring , the last twelve months it is gratifying to 'record that indent orders Tor 11)17-1918 aro far in excess of previous, yeara. and constitute a record. '"nip application for (he registration of iipw factories in tlm South Maud is nroof of the growth of the industry. During tlie year six nnplicßtions 'have been granted. In making comparisons it is well to remember that all are not new concern?, but may in some instances ljp <i(.enril-—I as new subdivisions of old businesses."