THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8814, 1 March 1892, Page 3

THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, —Referring to your interesting article on dairying in Victoria, your correspondent, " Dairyman," remarks that it New Zealand manufacturers were guaranteed a bonus 'equal to threepence per lb upon butter to ne exported during the coming three years, as Victorians have had during the past, even leaps and bounds would not adequately describe the progress wo should make, but thinks it unlikely that Government can at present afford to subsidise the manufacture of dairy produce, But there is no valid reason why a bonus should not be given to build up a trade which is of vital moment to the prosperity of the country; for it is not, like some of the town ones, of doubtful suitability, but a manufacture for which the country is peculiarly favourable ; and once the trade were established on an extensive scale, all the Government assistance in Victoria would not compensate for the natural advantages this country possesses in competing for the English market. As regards the ability of the Government to pay a bonus the country settlers would probably deem if desirable to divert the necessary funds from objects not so essential to the material welfare of the country ; and moreover, at the present time, the spectacle of three Collectors of Customs in Auckland—one to do the work, and two the ornamental—inclines one to think that there is still room for departmental saving. Could milk-producing be made to pay good wages, what an impetus would be given to settlement. There would be no longer need to bolster up doubtful industries by heavy protective duties, whilst the Government funds would be directly relieved by being freed from demands of the unemployed. To attain these ends is worth the expenditure of o, bonus, even at the sacrifice of some public conveniences ; let the eettlers stand .shoulder to shoulder, and they will get it.—l am, &c., E. F. Tizard, General Secretary N.Z. Settlers' League.