FARMERS ASK MORE

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 23, 28 January 1935, Page 10

FARMERS ASK MORE

CONSEQUENCE OF DROUGHT AUCKLAND MILK PRICES The abnormal, drought conditions which have existed during the, present season have seriously affected the production of milk, to such an extent that a strong deputation of farmers, representing all districts from which the Auckland supply is drawn, waited upon the Auckland Milk Council on Friday to bring before tho members the critical position that has arisen,-states the "Auckland Star." :...;■ Mr. N. E. Davonport, vice-president of tho Milk- Producers' Association, described the conditions on the farms as alarming. Ho invited the members to make a. personal inspection to verify, his statements. "The pastures are absolutely bare and, farmers are not only purchasing feed" in an attempt to maintain a supply of milk, but are rapidly using up the hay and ensilage which had been set aside for their winter feed," said Mr. Davenport. "Notwithstanding this heavy expense, the farmers find that their herds are drying off and are not producing one-half the quantity of milk obtained in previous seasons. They are also faced with the additional expense of having to purchase feed to save their stock from starvation through the winter." The deputation urged the council immediately to fix a temporary increased price to the farmers which would help to meet the abnormal conditions. A sympathetic hearing was accorded the deputation by the council,-and the individual members of the deputation expressed themselves as reluctant to make the appeal. It had been forced on them on account of the prolonged drought. ■■■■■.•