REDUCED MILK SUPPLIES

Evening Star, Issue 23833, 13 March 1941, Page 8

REDUCED MILK SUPPLIES

CHEESE FACTORIES MAY CLOSE HEX! MONTH There is every possibility, if rain does not come within the nest week or two, that cheese factories in the Goodwood, Waikouaiti, and Merton districts will bo forced to close down by the cud of April instead of, as is usually the case, about the middle of June. Milk supplies have fallen back fully 30per cent, because of the drought, while the factories themselves are operating on reduced water supplies. With costs of production as high as they are at present, it would not pay to keep the factories onen to receive a volume of milk smaller than that which is being received at present, but it is not likely that any action will be taken before the end of April. Although compared with last year the monthly production averages for February and March are substantially down, tbo yearly averages will probably bo much the same. This is because the factories got off to a very good start, production then being aided by the increased output to fulfil Government requirements. It is understood the position is much ■the same in South Canterbury, but so far factories to the south of Dunedin arc unaffected; in some cases, indeed, deliveries of milk are actually higher than in other years. '