DAIRY PRODUCE

Evening Post, Volume XCIV, Issue 112, 8 November 1917, Page 3

DAIRY PRODUCE

STORAGE AND SHIPPING THE SEASON'S OUTPUT Publication of the latest figures relating to exports and quantities held in store of all foodstuffs is not permitted for Imperial military reasons. In these circumstances precise information relating to the butter and cheese produce season, now iv full swing, is rather difficult to give. It is only possible to make merely cursory reference to the probable output of dairy produce. So far as can be unofficially ascertained, in the Auckland district, although the season is a little behindhand, indications are for an increased output of both butter and cheese. Poor winter feed, bad weather, with phenomenal rains, especially in the Waikato district, have kept the cows back, and this accounts for the rather tardy opening of the season and a decrease for I October last in the quantities of butter received at the grading stores when compared with tho corresponding portion of last season, a reduction it is understood 1 of 10,000 boxes. However, there has been a marked improvement in the weather and a corresponding better tone in the stock, so that any shortage at the opening of the season is expected to be made good. Cheese already received from the Auckland district is turned but of nearly sixty factories, mainly in the southern part, and is in excess of the production at this time last year.

In the Wellington and Taranaki districts feed lias been a.nd is abundant. The weather has also favoured good production, and except for possible reduction of producers, the out-turn should be very heavy. This applies to both butter and cheese. The WellingtonTaranaki prospects are most favourable, so far as they go, to heavy make, and that of good quality of both butter and cheese. . In the South Island the season is only just about opened, but with every promise. Feed is plentiful, but there has been a little too much rain. • HOLDING FOR SHIPMENT. The problem of storage for both butter and cheese ha» been a, knotty one ever since the war made such a big demand upon overseas tonnage usually in this trade. It is not quite solved yet. So far as can be gathered it should be a little less acute thie year, for Auckland has made more provision for both butter and cheese, and may be able with reasonable shipping facilities to hold out, or rather to keep the cheese in better condition than some of that of last season, and minimise the shrinkage. In Wellington the position may become difficult, although the Harbour Board has provided for large additional permanent cheese utorage of the most approved character. This is nearly ready, but not any too soon, as the produce is fast coming in from the factories. Future provision for 6torage of butter is giving a little concern at the moment, as bufter must be kept in freezing chambers, whereas cheese does not require bo low a temperature and can be well kept so long as the temperature is in the vicinity al 42 to 4Sdeg. Fahr., although it loses weight in time. At New Plymouth, Hawera, and Patea extra storage, accom- j modation and adaptation of existing temporary stores is being effected, and it is ! hoped that the produce, if it'has to be kept, will be stored under the most favourable conditions that the unusual circumstances will allow. At Bluff extra storage for cheese will be available, it is hoped, in good time to take the. produce offering. THE TONNAGE PROBLEM. The -whole matter depends upon the quantity of shipping tonnage likely to be available. On that subject the Prime Minister s statement is that the Government is " doing its best to secure a sufficient supply of ships to take our produce away during the current season." The shipping prospects at the moment are not bright for after December, but it has to be borne in mind that shipping itineraries can now only be arranged from day to day, as it were. The activity of the enemy or some other cause may throw all tabulated dispositions of tonnage out of gear, and fewer vessels than were originally provided for may be available. On the other hand, by some circumstance unprovided for, it is possible that more tonnage may be at the disposal of the control for a particular trade than was at first arranged for. It is not definitely known (so far as The Post can learn) that the tonnage will be moderately sufficient. What is apparent at the moment is that it will be short.