SCOPE FOR IMPROVEMENT

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 14 June 1935, Page 10

SCOPE FOR IMPROVEMENT

dominion primary produce •—* DEFECTS IN DAIRY EXPORTS WHAT the future holds. The- outlook for the rural industries •of New was discussed by Hr I). Jones, a lnenibcr of the Executive Commission of Agrieultuie, when speaking at a dinner of the Massey Agricultural College Old Students’ xVssociution at Palmerston North on Tuesday night, states the “Dominion.” How the question of quality was wrapped up with the successful agricultural development of this country was enr-

. phasised by >Mr Jones, who pointed out that there was room for ia great improvement in the quality of our products. From his recent close association with the meat negotiations in England, he was certain that Great Britain was realising more and more the importance of two-way Empire trade, and that the Dominions had excellent prospects of an outlet for their future production. .“The development of agricultural production in the Dominion has been remarkable,” said Mr Jones. “Wo speak with pardonable pride of how the early pioneers and their descendants have turned a country of forest and fern into one of the most productive countries on the earth, and that to-day we are the greatest exporters of mutton and lamb and dairy produce in the world. This has been accomplished in practically one man’s lifetime. To-day, however, a new problem presents itself to us, and that is, if we go on increasing our production, can we obtain a market for what we do produce? I am not pessimistic about.the future in,this respect.

“\Ve arc recognising the value of science more and more, and there is .abundant room in the future for science still further assisting agriculture, and Massey Agricultural College has. plenty of room for development. “It came as soriiething of a shock to the Dominion to find there was a possibility of Britain limiting our exports into that country. The restrictions placed by many countries that had formerly been importers of primary products made Britain practically . the dumping ground of the world and forced her in self-defence to change her policy of free trade to protection. We can appreciate Britain’s difficult position because agriculture is still her greatest industry. THE' EMPIRE MARKET. “Britain’s home market and the Empire market have become of ever-in-creasing importance, not only because of the rapid expansion of Empire trade, •but because the Dominions pay their accounts while it is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain payment from many foreign countries. I was in close contact with official circles in Britain for some months recently in connection with the negotiations on meat, and I am certain that Britain is realising more and more the increasing importance of developing Empire trade inward and outward, and that the Dominions have excellent prospects of getting room for their future production.’’

Mr Jones said that in discussing the future of agricultural! production, too much weight must not be given to the often-expressed opinion that we were suffering to-day from over-production. Nature frequently had its own way of solving this problem, land we had seen illustrations of this lately with the droughts in America, South Africa and Queensland. Distribution of produefihiijwas also at fault, and it was hard to believe that butter could remain permanently on the Continent at roundabout 2s 6d a pound, and at, say; lOd in Britain. PRIMAEY PRODUCE.

“The Commission has also been iu conference with representatives from the Unemployment Board, and will be placing before the dairy-farmer iu the next few days proposals that will give him material assistance in connection with the work on the farm in improving his sheds and dairy appliances, and also to the dairy factories in connection with their improvements. The Unemployment Board is making, in connection with this matter, a departure from its ordinary policy, and the inducements that are being offered to assist the dairy-farmer land to assist in the improvement of our product should have a valuable effect iu improving the standard of the quality of our dairy products.

“The commission has under consideration meeting a number of companies to see whether a more rational means can be used than the present needless competition for supplies between dairy factories. The amount of overlapping that is taking place and the exceedingly long distances the •cream is being; over-carried show that much requires to be done to find a solution of this question. This again is wrapped up with the improvement of our quality and also a material reduction in our costs/’ THE PORK INDUSTRY. Continuing, Mr Jones said the dairyfarmer was slow to recognise the value of the pork industry, but with the low price of dairy products he had been forced to give more consideration to this branch and the increase particularly in the last four years had been really remarkable. New Zealand’s exports this year might reach the vicinity of GOO,OOO pigs. The qualtiy of our frozen pork was rapidly improving, and it was keenly sought after in Britain. The demand for pork was more limited than for baepner pigs, and Britain also found it more convenient to increase the quantity of bacon than of pork.

The British farmer was under very strict regulations about his supply of bacon pigs, and he had to give a 12 months’ guarantee of the number of bacon pigs ho would deliver to the bacon curers. So strict was the British Government in enforcing this regulation that farmers were being sued who did not live up to their agreements.

When he was negotiating 1 and secured the 12,500 tons of bacon for New Zealand this year, he was informed that Britain expected the Dominion to (ill the quota that was given, because she in turn liad to enter into agreements with the bacon curcrs lor this quantity. This fact was not sufficiently recognised in New Zealand. Last year the Meat Board had to stop the export at different periods because of excessive quantities, and if the same position arose again, stringent action would be required to see that the Dominion did not exceed her quota of porkers. The dairy-farmer must be prepared for such an eventuality, and it therefore became necessary that he should begin to provide sufficient food to carry on his porkers and make them baconers, so that the agreements New Zealand entered into with the British Government .could be fulfilled. “Government interference, ’ ’ Mr Jones concluded, “is often criticised. It is always welcomed when it is doing something that we believe is in our favour, but severely criticised when wc disagree with it. The interference in this case comes from, our agreements made with the British Government, which they enforce upon their own farmers, and which wc must be prepared to accept -in the Dominion.’’ CREAM BELOW STANDARD. “The future of agriculture lies more and more iu the improvement in the quality of our products,’’ added Mr Jones. “Britain has always been a market that pays for quality, and there is undoubtedly room for great improvement in the Dominion. In connection "with the dairy industry there is unquestionably a .considerable quantity of cream falling below our Highest standard which carries with it the inference that there is a large percent age of ereaufTnat only just creeps into the first grade and consequently lov/ers the quality of New Zealand butter and cheese. This position must be remedied in the future, ' and it can be done without difficulties if we get the full co-operation of the dairyfarmers. We are apt to look too much at something tuat may be occurring at the other end of the world aud suggesting remedies before remedying fully the defects at our own end. “The Government, on flic advice of the Executive Commission of Agriculture, has offered liberal terms in .connection with the advancing of money to dairy factories and farmers for the improvement of The dairy factories and milking sheds. The Agriculture Department lias entered heartily into this .work, and a considerable amount of improvement is being effected right throughout the Dominion as a result.