CRISIS IN GUERNSEY

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 November 1934, Page 5

CRISIS IN GUERNSEY

PLIGHT OF THE FARMERS GUERNSEY, October 7. Guernsey, the island producing the most prolific cow in the world, yielding the richest milk, is facing a grave crisis in milk production. The plight of the farming 'industry has been developing for some years, and the island Governmental Committee are examining the position, which this week-end is acute. Farmers are faced with an economic problem that they cannot solve. A cooperative dairy was formed within the .last few years. Had it had unanimous support the position might have been righted, but one or two powerful farmers stood out, and price cutting for milk intervened.

Now farmers are selling their herds. There is a growing anxiety that Guernsey, instead of thriving on its rich golden milk, will be forced to import that commodity. Island sympathy lies with the farmer. He produces milk at Ud a pint. That is all that his own co-operative dairy can offer him. It is sold at 3£d a pint. Recently it was 4d. This is more than the labouring classes can p£ty - The farmer cannot economically produce at lid. He bitterly points out that the middlemen are making more on every pint they sell than he receives for producing it. So he sells his herds and turns in ever increasing numbers to horticulture. At one time Guernsey cows were . sold in considerable numbers in the United States, in many markets in the Empire, and in England. World financial depression has had its severe repercussion in the dwindling sale of the Guernseys. The U.S.A, no longer ,buvs. England, realising the high but-ter-fat content of the Guernsey milk and the high producing qualities of the cow, is buying in greater numbers. But English agriculture has its own economic troubles, and the prices pffered for the Guernsey cattle are invariably too low to give the island farmer the financial benefit so vital to him at this time.

Agricultural workers receive on an average £2 a week in the island. The farmer in winter has heavy charges to meet in imported fodder. He cannot go. on. , Unless that vital balance between the received by the farmer and the 3|d paid by the consumer is reapportioned by State intenvention, so that the farmer is assured of an economic return, the industry will collapse.