SMALL DAIRY FARMS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LIII, Issue LIII, 8 April 1908, Page 6

SMALL DAIRY FARMS.

NEW REGULATIONS DESIRED.

The; dairy industry in New Zealand is one of * vast importance. Few industries in the Dominion have developed so rapidly and have been so consistently prolific in wealthy results. Apart from local consumption, which is considerable, the export trade of dairy produce for many years supplies striking proof of the extent and value of this trade ; but there is still room for development. There are hindrances in the way. The removal of these is the desire of the dairy farmers and the aim of the Government. *Much has been done in the past to improve the conditions "of dairy farming in New Zealand. Much more, it appears,' needs to be done. A Dunedin Star representative interviewed Mr D. Roy, President of the Dairymen's Association, who has made a special study of the position and of the requirements of dairy farmers. [Since reported.] In reply to a question concerning the intention of the Dairy Association to wait upon the Minister for Lands (the Hon. R. McNab), Mr Roy said: "Among other matters to be placed before the Minister for Lands by a deputation from the Association is one that cannot be too well known throughout the Dominion, is of far-reaching importance, and will be welcomed by tenant- farmers and dairy inspectors. In brief, it is a question of hardship to certain dairy farmers, who are unable to comply with the present dairying regulations. In many cases, when dairy farms are held on short lease, and when it is impossible for the lessee to comply with the regulations respecting the provision of necessary buildings, dairy inspectors find special difficulty in effecting absolute compliance with the requirements of the Act. The position' is this: holders of short-lease farms, in common with dairy farmers better situated, must, according to the Act, erect suitable buildings and conveniences. This they simply cannot do, a fact which is obvious to the inspector, who refrains from compelling such farmers to comply with the regulations. That simply proves the weakness of the present Act and the need of amended legislation. Jn bygone years, before special legislation was directed to the dairy industry, any kind of building was considered apod enough- for cows. Many farmers, indeed, had no buildings at all, and milked their cows at a fence. To-day circumstances* are different. Dairying has become one of the largest wealtnA producing industries of the Dpminion. The Government have given special attentioii to its development, and regulations, including close inspection. of milk production, have been extended., -.It is necessary that, every dairy farm should be equipped, with proper sanitary. ar». rfirtiements and suitable buildings^ Dairy farmers recognise the value, of smth. regulations, and that,.rec6ettition I brines into clear view'.tE6^difßculti^s, v J& r ;: the . way of^anx^irgjfairgierg :smmF*

lishing the desired equipment. Dairy farming, as you know, entails incessant labor, and a dairy fanner working on a small scale without capital has many difficulties to contend with. He needs his way smoothed rather than hindered by legislation. The present Act demands that certain regulations must be complied with, and in many instances dairy farmers who are harassed by inspectors are simply unable to effect the demanded improvements. Much of the best dairying land is held by large' landowners and leased in small areas to dairy farmers. • In this way the land earns more than it would if differently used. What is the position of one of v those tenant farmers who holds his land on short lease when his buildi&gs are condemned and his landlord' refuses to reinstate them of give valuation for improvements if the farmer be in a position to erect the buildings needed? He cannot break his lease nor compel his landlord to provide the new buildings. The result is that a deadlock occurs between the farmer, who cannot construct the buildings, and the inspector, who demands that the buildings nw.st be erected, and a disagreeable situation is created that can only be removed by legislation. The Minister for Lands is to be asked to introduce legislation to make it obligatory on all property-own-ers leasing land for dairying purposes to have erected thereon such buildings and conveniences as required by tne Act, or to make it compulsory for the landlord to allow full valuation on the buildings erected by the tenant. Such legislation is not without precedent, j There is a clause in the Noxious Weeds 1 Act providing for compulsory payment I by the landlord for certain clearance of weeds by the tenant. The legislation I have indicated is rendered necessary by. the present requirements de- i manded by the Dairy Industry Act. | By placing upon the Statute Book ( legislation on the lines indicated," con- , eluded Mr Roy, "the Minister for Lands would earn the commendation of the tenant farmers of New Zealand, and engrave his name deep in the his- ] tory of dairy farming."