DAIRY REGULATIONS

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXVII, Issue 4459, 19 October 1933, Page 5

DAIRY REGULATIONS

A HOPEFUL OUTLOOK. DOMINION’S ADVANTAGES. Mr. S. Andrew, chairman of the Ashburton Co-op. Dairy Company, in addressing shareholders last week, pointed out that, “although the dairying industry has received a serious setback during the year, it has, over a series of years, been more favourably placed regarding pi’ice level than other branches of farming,” said Mr. Andrew. He stated that if the dairy farmers with suitable land would stick to the industry, they would find, in the natural order of things, that it would not be long before they had a more favourable reward for persistence and enterprise. No good purpose was served by a defeatist attitude either by the farmer or those who might be financing him. It was in the interests of all concerned that the farms and stock be maintained in good order and condition. There would then be less leeway to be made up when the financial storm was weathered, and a quicker return made to more stable and prosperous conditions. It was more than ever necessary in times of low prices that special attention be paid to the quality of the article produced. There was always a demand for a high quality article, and such would command an increased price. The New Zealand producers should not be satisfied with the quality, price, or marketing of their butter and cheese while the Danish article commanded a substantial premium on the British markets. The Dominion had all the natural advantages to produce a superior article. The cattle grazed in the open, under healthy conditions, the year round. The abundance of sunshine, fresh air and clear water, combined with rich pastures, had enabled a butter to. be pi’oduced richer in health-giving vitamin content than that from any other country. Mr. Andrew suggested that a campaign should be initiated to rid the country of all diseased cattle. It could be done at the present low price of stock by the Government, without being called upon to pay an unduly large sum by way of compensation. Diseased stock had little commercial value, were unprofitable for the farmer to keep, as well as being a distinct menace to the health of the community. The increased demand and the increased price through being able to advertise their dairy produce with a guarantee, as to its purity as well as its quality, would soon add to the financial stability and prestige of their dairy industry.