DAIRY INDUSTRY

Hokitika Guardian, 22 November 1932, Page 3

DAIRY INDUSTRY

MARKED PROGRESS DISCLOSED. STRATFORD, November 18. According to a. statement made by the Hun. R. 'Masters'in the course of in t /dress here, there has been a ve.y satisfactory increase in the number of dairy cows in the Dominion. On January 31 this year the total number was 1,702,070, compared with 1,601,633 last year. The Taranaki figures were 239,563 and 233,563 respectively. When this increase was remembered, the necessity for the greatest possible use of manures need not be emphasised, said Mr Masters, who stated that concessions granted by the Covdrnment regarding the carriage of lime and fertilisers. amounted during the past tnrce years to £483,000 . The falling off in the use of manures was so marked in 1931 that the Government was faced with the necessity for immediate action, the Minister continued. Therefore it decided to subsidise! the -manufacture of superphosphate, which resulted in '?.■ reduction in the charge' to farmers of 15s a ton. He quoted the figures to show the increased use of fertilisers as a result of the fall in price consequent on the Government subsidy. During the peri, ■id January to June last year, 152,003 tons were used, showing a decrense from the 1929 figures of 78,090 tons, hut for the same period of the oresent year 222,000 tons were used, i lie decrease from 1929 being only 3000 tons.