DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19255, 20 August 1924, Page 5

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

A PROSPEROUS YEAR. THE MINISTER’S REVIEW. (From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, August 18. The Minister of Agriculture (tho Hon. W. Nosworthy), in has annual report to Parliament, refers to the prosperous year experienced, the chief feature of which was the remarkable rise in tho wool market. He refers with satisfaction to the increasing flocks. In regard to the dairy industry, he says that recent statistics indicate that New Zealand still holds its gradually achieved position as tho largest exporter of dairy produce in the world. During tho pest .season the industry operated with an increased number of dairy cows, but owing to less favourable weather conditions, tho production of butter-fat has remained practically stationary at the very high level attained in 1922-23. Cheosemaking was practised hy most of the largo dual plant factories, with a result that tho cheese branch of the industry has shown an increased output of about 21 per cent.., while tho butter output has decreased by some 9 per cent. The British markets have experienced great fluctuations, but it is anticipated that the average returns to factory suppliers will be much on a par with those of the preceding year. The export value of milk products for tho past year is placed in round numbers at the great sum of £18,500,000, chiefly representing butter and cheese, but also including substantial quantities of milk powder, preserved milk, and casein. If, is satisfactory to be able to record a further largo development in tho herdtesting movement, bringing tho total number of cows so dealt with up to in round figures 150,000. The complementary C.O.R. system of testing purebred dairy cows has also shown further expansion. Pigs 'iicroesed in number by 20,000. The Minister thinks there ape good grounds for hoping that th 3 total wheat area, for the 1924-25 season will meet tho dominion’s requirements for next year, provided a normal yield is secured Full self-support as regards essential breadstuff's is very desirable. Regarding the Control Boards, Mr Nosworthy says: “An event of the year was the enactment of the Dairv Produce Export Control Act, and its being brought into operation by a large majority vote of the whole industry. The Dairy Produce Control Board was subsequently elected, and it got to work quietly and effectively. A delegation of its members is now on a tour of investigation rovering Great Britain, tho Continent of Europe, and America prior to a definite formulation of tho board’s policy and plans of action. “ The Moat Producers’ Board has completed a second year of useful and varied work for the pastoral industries it represents. The board’s policy, as summed up in its annual report for 1923-24, is ‘to obtain the highest, nor prices for tho producer and to establish a standard of quality that will put our meat in a class by itself.’ “As regards wool, the Now Zealand Wool Committee has continued to do good work in regulating the offerings at tho local sales, and arrangements for its continuance in a reconstituted form are now having attention.” In conclusion, the Minister says: “It seems evident that this country must bo prepared in the near future to meet increasing competition with most of its sterile exports on tho world’s markets, accompanied probably by a lower range spf values. The self-reliant course for meeting this position is by increased efficiency at all points, bv better farming practice, increased output, higher email ty of produce, and lower cost of production, and liotter handling. transport, and marketing facilities. There is also room for a greatly extended sound co-operative effort along the chain from the producer to consumer. Welldirected scientific research can be of groat and far-reaching assistance at all points. We should not presume too much on the natural advantages of our country, but should build well and soundly on the fine foundation they have given us.”