BOUNTIFUL SEASON SPOILT BY DROUGHT

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6542, 25 February 1928, Page 10

BOUNTIFUL SEASON SPOILT BY DROUGHT

Fanners Deprived 0( Two Millions PROPAGANDA THAT, NEED NOT BE FEARED \ f ' (“Times” Special.) AUCKLAND, Last Night. “I am' inclined to estimate that there will be a probable shrinkage of £2,000,000 in the return of the dairying industry this season, from what might have been legitimately expected had wo had an average season,” said Mr W. Grounds, chairman of the Dairy Export Board who arrived in Auckland from Wellington this morning. He stated that the continuation of the drought was probably the most serious aspect of the industry at the present time. While it had not affected other districts to the same extent as in the Auckland province, they were all feeling the unusual season. Mr Grounds • gave the assurance that there was no occasion for anxiety over propaganda that was current in regard to New Zealand produce as a result of the institution of the antipreservative regulations in Great Britain. “New Zealand has proved beyond question that the quality of its produce can bo maintained although practically no preservatives have been used in its factories during the past few years,” ho explained. “This point is being emphasised by the High Commissioner and by the Board’s office in London to counteract propaganda which is evidently instigated by Continental interests,”