MONEY IN MILK

Evening Post, Volume XCI, Issue 146, 21 June 1916, Page 3

MONEY IN MILK

PROGRESS OF THE INDUSTRY

DAIRYMEN IN CONFERENCE

BUTTER AND CHEESE EXPORTS.

(BT O'JR SPECIAL REPORTER.)

It is a long time since the first cream separator in the Waitato created a sensation in the Auckland province. According to Mr. Edward Alien, of Cambridge, a director of the National Dairy Association, it was the first ever run in New Zealand, and that was twenty-six years ago. Mr. Reynolds (now dairying in the Argentine) was the introducer of this machine. Butter was then a sort of sideline of the farmers' activities, and cheese exports were unthought of. Since then —twenty-six years ago—the growth of the industry has been stupendous. In 1895 the exports of dairy produce were valued as follow :— Butter £263,241 Cheese ... ... .... 160,383 , £423,624 To-day the position stands:— . ■ Butter £2,764,945 Cheese 3,033,227

£5,798,172 Interests .in which over £5,000,000 worth of produce are concerned are naturally important. From the annual meetings of the North Island Dairy Association held at the Palmerston Winter Show, all engaged in the industry in both islands of the Dominion look for guidance as to the disposal of their produce to the best advantage, and for other information of advantage to this important branch of the Dominion's activities.

Mr. A. Morton (president of the association), in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet of the National Dairy Association, at the opening of proceedings, referred to the unusually productive season of 1915-16, except in parts of the North Island. There was not only increased production, but record prices, giving very big returns to the dairy farmers. He showed how since 1895 the value of dairy exports had increased, which fact was due to great improvements in daring methods, and especially to herd testing.

QUALITY NOT UP TO THE MARK.

He regretted to say that'the standard of 'quality was not bo high last season as that of the previous season. Of course, the exceptionally warm sunshine of 1915-16 was largely responsible for that; but it shpwed the necessity for thoroughly cooling milk. Many factories, however, who turned put high-class butter were now devoting themselves to cheese maldng. , Home separation, too, was making great advances. With respect to high prices, they were dve —as to butter—to the restriction of. Danish exports to Britain,; and the retention of their butter by other Continental countries caused a great shortage in. London. ' Australia shipped last season:only one-fourth of her export of butter to the United Kingdom _of the previous season. As to/margarine competition, that was great, but the high wages received by the British working classes enabled them to live on a I higher scale, and so they were better able to meet the high prices of butter. Then, as to the great price of cheese. That was due to its enormous use as an Army ration by Britain, and possibly the Allies; also to its taking the place of meat with civilians, who used it in order to avoid the use of exceedingly high-priced fuel ■which cooking meat would require. SHIPPING FACILITIES. Shipping of dairy produce this season had been much better than was anticipated last year; but there had been a i large accumulation of cheese in Wellington, which, ho believed, would be avoided this next season. .He gave great credit .to the Government for its assistance in exports, and to the Overseas Shipping Committee for its efforts to get the produce away. Mr. Morton reviewed the increased ■ freights on cheese and butter, and the reduction of the freight^on the former to 11-16 d per pound. Butter freights were increased by 6d per box (3s), and subsequently were raised to 3s 9d per box; but, taking into account freight rates on dairy produce from other countries, they had, he thought, much to be thankful for in their present rates of freight. The prospects of a regular supply of rennet were doubtful, but they were now more assured. ' ■ LABOUR SHORTAGE. Labour shortage was already making itself felt owing to enlistments. Representations were made 'to the Government that something should be done to retain sufficient expert assistance for the dairying industry. The Military Service Bill showed that that difficulty might be met by exemptions of expert dairy workers. Nevertheless, apart from enlistments, the labour situation was bristling with difficulties. If, they could not retain a sufficiency of experts he feared the quality of their produce would suffer; but the outlook might not really be so black as it appeared at the present time. /He moved the adoption of the association's report and balancesheet. Mr. H. W. Forsyth, in seconding the motion, urged -the joining of more factories in the association. Such factories were deriving all the benefits from the association, but they contributed nothing to it and assumed no responsibilities. Mr. Wise (Eketahuna) suggested extension of the association's functions, especially with respect to the marketing of produce. He feared - the executive could not help being unable to keep sufficiently in touch with individual factories. Mr. J. Marx suggested that the dairy, wool, and meat interests should acquire interests in shipping for themselves to secure better and more profitable service. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. Mr. Allen (Auckland) was elected a director, and Messrs. W. Fisher and A. M'Farlane were re-elected directors. . FAMINE IN RENNET. Mr. W. Fisher (Carterton), in moving that a co-operative company be formed for the manufacture of rennet, outlined the position, which was that less than half the orders taken- —which would have been ample for requirements—-would be fulfilled in consequence of the prohibition' of the Russian Government of the I export of raw material (veils, or calves' ' stomachs), from which rennet is obtain- ' cd. For the proposed company to be formed in New Zealand would throw the onus of supplying the raw material upon the individual factory. A capital of £20,000 would be required on the basis of £1 share for every two tons of cheese manufactured. They had in sight sufficient rennet for half-way through the .season. The Government, he had been assured, would give all the assistance possible. j Mr. Daysh seconded the motion. | Mr. D. Cuddie, Dairy Commis- ! sioner, said there were °nly two firms in England making rennet who were wholly dependent upon Continental supplies of raw materials^ Efforts to obtain information of the process of manufacture was most difficult to obtain as it waa conducted with the utmost

secrecy. One firm; was willing to come out to New Zealand to manufacture on a subsidy being granted, or sufficient protective duty imposed. This proposal was turned down. It was then found that an impression prevailed that there was likely to be an over-supply of rennet. Then it was learned that Continental manufacturers could not obtain raw material from Russia. The High Commissioner got to work, the Colonial Office lending every assistance, to inrlcce the Russian Government to release tbe veils to the Danish manufacturers. Veils were obtained in New Zealand and sent to London for expert opinion. They arrived in good condition, but owing to the smallness of the samples it was impossible to tell what their rennet value was. They shouldn't, in his opinion, any longer rely upon Continental manufacturers. They should also save the veils for treatment.

The Chairman held that it would be a tremendous pity ito . let the matter drop, so vitally important was it to the cheese industry. The difficulty caused by the war depleting the stock of Poland and Russia in obtaining raw material was almost insuperable, and it was, too, exceedingly difficult to obtain expert advice. It was proposed, too, that possibly expert services might be obtained from Home to start the industry.

The motion was carried unanimously, and a, provisional directorate of seven was appointed.