CORRESPONDENCE.

Kaikoura Star, Volume LIV, Issue 50, 28 June 1934, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

(To the Editor). Sir, —In your leader on the Dairy Industry published in Tuesday’s issue of the Star, you say * ‘ that something must be done, and that quick.y, if our dairy farmers are to be put in a position" to compete with foreign produce.” I would like to know, Sir, why our farmers cannot compete with foreign produce? We are supposed to have the best climate in the world for dairying, and that our methods of production are not at fault is evidenced by tremendous increase in output during the last few years. There must be another cause for the desperate plight of our farmers and perhaps you can tell us what it is. I have been told bydairy farmers that they can do well at 6d per lb, and yet their neighbours require 1/6. What is the difference? One man is prosperous and the next is bankrupt. The Government is doing its best to find a solution to the problem by reducing transport costs, etc., at the producing end of the industry and finding a better method of marketing at the other end; but I think you will agree that, in the face of quotas on the one hand, and intense competition by competitors who are willing to accept a low price on the other, it is going to take a wonderful marketing scheme to bridge the gap between the present price of 78/ per cwt. and the old price of 180/. Now, Sir, please tell me why our dairy farmers, as a wl*)lc. cannot’produce butter at 78/ per cwt. -—I am. etc. GOBDON HAMILTON.