AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7142, 1 June 1910, Page 8

AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT

> GROWTH OF THE DAIRYING INDUSTRY. EXPORT OF APPLES. PHE3S- ASSOCIATION. DUNEDIN, May 31. In his speech at the opening of the winter show to-day the Hon. T. Mackenzie, Minister for Agriculture, spoke oi what had been done for the public by the dairying branch of the Department of Agriculture. During the -past year forty new cheese factories had been established, and the output of cheese showed-an increase of o 9 per cent over the previous rear. The quantity of butter exported for the sea3on was 339,227 cwt, valued at £1,934,477—an increase of 52,492 cwt in Quantity v and £368,010 in value compared with the previous year. The exports of cheese amounted to 453,865 cwt, valued at £1,317.208—an increase of 1267<17 cwt and £333,238 /for the season. With reference . to the' fruit industry the Minister said we had tested our first, export of apples under favourable conditions and were now awaiting a report in connection therewith from the other side of the world. Fruit growing promised to be a great industry. . . The Minister expressed the opinion that the future was full of promise. The Hon. T. Y. Duncan (ex-Mimster of Lands aud Agriculture) said one thing had been neglected since he left the department, and that was the- establishment of an experimental farm in the South Island. Before he vacated the position in the 31mistrv he left a farm marked out, and the land then belonged to the Government.. Addressing Mr Mackenzie, Mr Duncan eaid: "There is something for you to take back to Cabinet, and you will get my assistance till you get that farm established. Mr, Mackenzie assured his hearers that he had ' not lost sight of the matter, and would try to help the South Island.