MARKETING OF BUTTER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23687, 20 June 1940, Page 16

MARKETING OF BUTTER

GREAT BRITAIN'S ATTITUDE REORGANISATION IN DOMINION [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] PALMEBSTON NORTH, Wednesday In an address to dairy farmers at Massey College, the Director-General of Agriculture, Air. A. H. Cockayne, emphasised that the production of more cheese and pig meats could be looked upon as war work of the greatest significance. As regards butter, he pointed out that even if Britain's Northern Hemisphere importations had not been cut off she would have required reduced quantities, for the less that was spent on food the more money there was available for war purposes. Margarine suited her admirably, as the raw materials used in its manufacture could be stored without the expenditure of expanding cool store accommodation.

In normal times Britain imported 500,000 tons of butter, but she could do with less than 250,000 tons, margarine filling the gap at half the cost. This reorientation of fat consumption meant that £20,000,000 a year was saved, enough to pay for 2000 aeroplanes costing £IO,OOO each. Much as New Zealand might dislike the position, it had to bo accepted as a sound war measure in Britain.

There was a different picture as far as cheese and pig meats were concerned. as there were no substitutes. Mr. Cockayne said that he was convinced that the Dominion's herds were capable of greater production, for everyone knew that the cows were not adequately fed last season. The production of more cheese would handicap the pig effort, but every ' effort was going to he made to produce more grain and root crops. USE OF CULTIVATORS OFFER TO DEPARTMENT [by telegraph—own correspondent] HAMILTON, Wednesday • Advice has been received by Mr. J. M. Smith, field superintendent for the Department of Agriculture, that Mr. H. E. Walters, of Ngahape, has placed at the disposal of the department the whole of his farm plant, including four tractors, discs, harrows and other implements, for the duration of the war. Mr. Walters expressed the hope that full use of the plant would be made to bring unproductive land into use. A committee of Otorohanga farmers has been set up to take advantage of the offer.