DAIRY RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 189, 8 May 1941, Page 12

DAIRY RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Annual Gathering Opened

REVIEW OF A DIFFICULT PERIOD Dominion Special Service. PALMERSTON N„ .May 7. ‘"Since the last conference the Dominion has been through a very difficult period, but even greater difficulties have been borne by the Motherland,” said Professor Riddet. of the Dairy Research Institute, when addressing dairy factory managers and their first assistants at the annual gathering which opened yesterday at the institute. ‘‘About this time a year ago the Battle of France began, and, consequent on the loss of France, shipping difficulties were greatly increased,” Professor Riddel continued. "These difficulties will be* come greater still. Naturally, they are having au effect on the Dominion. “No one in Britain is grousing today ; everyone has made up his mind to do his utmost without coercion, 1 continued the speaker, who commented that this was a line example for New Zealand. This Dominion was quite willing to play its part, and was doing so and, as the war progressed, would do so more and more. What had been done in the way of production of food in Great Britain had been nothing short of marvellous in 12 months, and in the Dominion also good work had been done in this regard. No section of the community had responded better than the dairy industry. However, after responding to the call for increased production, the industry had to undergo a reorientation because of shipping problems. More cheese was wanted by Great Britain, but exactly how much was not yet known. However, it be-, hoved all’ to make arrangements and plan now so that when (he call came it could he answered. Security Chief Aim.

The difficulties ahead were a mere nothing compared with the. price of security Vi Britain and ourselves, continued the speaker. Some might have said that they could not change over front butter to cheese supply, but there could not be any “can’ts” now. The experience of the past had shown that the British • market was the only market worth while supplying, and 90‘per cent, of the cheese bought by Great Britain came from Empire countries, while Britain herself produced a quarter of her consumption. Because of meats becoming cheaper in price, the quantity of cheese consumed in Great Britain had been declining, continued the speaker, but, as a war measure, the people had accepted the dictum of the dietitians that cheese was better than meat. Whether the change was to be permanent or temporary, we had to be prepared to meet the call. ‘‘We owe this to the hoys of our own race who are overseas at the present time,” said Professor Riddet. “They did not go there for the fun of the thing; they went there to do a job of work, and they will expect us to do a job on this side. ’