MILK SCARCITY

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24217, 7 March 1942, Page 6

MILK SCARCITY

SUPPLIES FOE CITY CHEESE-MAKING AFFECTED PARCHED LANDS IN PROVINCE Criticism of the action of the Minister of Agriculture in authorising the Auckland Metropolitan Milk Council to draw supplies of milk from the Drury cheese factory was voiced yesterday by several authorities in the dairying industry. The recent dry weather has seriously reduced milk production throughout the Auckland Province and it has been necessary for the council to arrange for auxiliary supplies.

The position became acute during the past week, and full supplies J)f milk were not available for schoolchildren. Milk companies have had to arrange for supplies from other than the regular suppliers. On Wednesday, the council commenced to draw suppjies from the cheese factory at Drury, which was opened for production last month.

Urgent Need of Rain The Milk Council secretary, Mr. Norman S. Chapman, said that the steps taken would ensure a full supply of milk for all purposes for the next few weeks. Production was falling so rapidly, however, that, unless rain fell soon and the pastures were freshened and feed available, a very acute position would develop. The consent of the Minister to draw from the Drury factory had been given reluctantly, as this factory was on cheese manufacture.

"While dairy production is diminishing daily, there are ample supplies of milk for town supply without interfering with the cheese factory," stated an authority. "It is almost beyond comprehension that the Minister should consent to any action that will further reduce cheese production." Surplus of Butter

It was recently disclosed, he continued, ;that the estimated output of cheese in the Dominion would fall short of the 160,000 tons which the British Government had asked for. The abnormal dry weather of the past month would adversely affect output, and the deficiency in cheese production at the end of the season would probably be even greater than recently predicted.

The estimated output of butter would be larger than the United Kingdom Government was able to take, and there was the likelihood of a substantial surplus being held in store. "That being so, it would surely be plain common sense to divert butter factory supplies of milk to the town supply and leave the cheese factory supply alone." added the speaker. British People's Interests

Another authority said there were butter factories closer to Auckland than the Drury cheese factory, and milk could be brought from such areas at less cost. He said there was a selfish disregard of the interests of the British people and the Empire war effort in taking milk from cheese manufacture. Every additional ton of cheese was wanted in Britan, and it was more easily carried in the limited shipping than butter. Throughout the whole of the province concern at the continued dry spell is expressed by farmers. Paddocks are burned bare and hard, and grass is non-existent over miles on end. The feeding of ensilage and winter fodder is assisting in maintaining herds, but production is waning to an alarming extent everywhere. A compensating factor is that, given reasonable autumn rainfall, a hearty growth of grass would be ensured for winter farming.