DAIRY INDUSTRY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 161, 9 June 1939, Page 9

DAIRY INDUSTRY

MINISTER’S SURVEY. FALL IN PRODUCTION. DUNEDIN, June S. A wide survey of tlio dairying industry in tlio Dominion was given liv the Minister of Agriculture (Hon. "\V. Tiee Martin) at tlio annual meeting of the South Island Dairy Association. Mr Martin, who was given an attentive hearing, said that tlio poor producing season had beeit the result of weather conditions, and it was evident that the remaining months of the season would continue to show a very heavy percentage decrease in quality, because of the effect of these conditions. To the end of April, he stated, production of butter and cbeesc, as shown by gradings, bad fallen by 11.59 per cent, or 15,500 tons, in the case of butter, and 3..'3 per cent, or 2600 tons, in the case of cheese. ‘‘Tlio value of this fall in production in terms of sterling is approximately £1.750,000.” said the Minister. “It is evident that the remaining months of the season will continue to show a very heavy percentage decrease in quantity as the result of unfavourable weather conditions previously. “It. is interesting to note that South Island choose production lias not fallen to the same extent as butter has done, and that Southland and Otago show small increases in both products over the last year due, no doubt, to the good season which prevailed here.” CHEESE v. 1 HITTER. The Minister quoted figures to show what the Government had done to encourage the production of cheese, and added. “1 doubt whether the Government should do more than it lias done, as it appears doubtful whether it would ho wise to further encourage cheese production at the expense of buffer, hearing in mind the relative world markets for each.

“It is pleasing to note that an improvement has been shown in the quality of our produce.” the Minister said, “specially in the case of cheese. It will he seen that the percentage of butter purchased and receiving the guaranteed price and better was 36.3.'! per cent in 1933-39 and S-1.91 per cent in 1937-3 S. It will he seen that Ihe percentage of choose purchased and receiving the guaranteed price and bettor was 84.90 per cent in 1938-39 and 78.17 per cent in 1937-38. “It is noted, however, that cheese shipped from Bluff is below New Zealand average quality. Tt Ims improved since last season, hut nor, so much as the average New Zealand figures have done.”

Mr T. F. Paul asked what steps the Government intended to lake in stabilising costs and generally protecting the industry in the future.

<r M p Nash undertook to moot various kin list rial organisations and place the position before them, which he did.” the Minister replied. “The Government has taken every step to'keep down costs, and I definitely do not agree with tlio suggestion tluit costs have reached a stage where we arc not able to control thorn. “f say that this talk of eosts rising to such an extent as to wipe out the benefits of the guaranteed price is all nonsense. It is not the truth. My own experience and accounts prove' that definitely. I say that the land is the safest tiling you can put your money

into in New Zealand to-day Farming is the host tiling in the country. 1 am satisfied that nothing else offers greater advantages than farming on sound lilies.” The Minister was thanked for his address.