OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22397, 19 October 1934, Page 7

OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS

SEASONAL PRODUCTION A policy of continuous production which would ensure the export and consumption of freshly made butter lias frequently been discussed in New Zealand, but the practice has not been adopted on a widespread scale. New Zealand has adapted herself to seasonal production of butter by manufacturing a type which retains its quality in storage and enables the Dominion to supply market requirements by regulating shipments. The commission considers that further information on the marketing and quality side of the problem would be required to justify a definite recommendation in favour of the general adoption of continuous milking. It is of the opinion that the question is primarily a marketing one to which the Dairy Produce' Control Board should give close [attention,• and, if on full examination it appears that the practice is sounder than that of storing butter, efforts should be made to extend winter milking, which is now practised to some extent in the more favoured parts of the Dominion, to other parts. The commission inclines to the view that an extension of the practice is desirable on general grounds, and is of the opinion that, if seasonal fluctuations in production were minimised, loss speculation in New Zealand butter would be indulged in. It is only the insufficiency of the evidence regarding the effect of winter dairying on marketing and quality that has restrained the commission from making a definite recommendation for the institution of measures designed to bring about the general adoption of the system. Unfortunately, the necessary evidence was not available in Now Zealand.

MARKET SURVEYS A necessity exists for making complete surveys of particular markets, fori the purpose of supplementing the information at present available regarding — (a) The special requirements of those markets. (b) The possibilities ot adjusting our present methods of production, manufacture and marketing to meet these requirements. (e) The capacity of particular markets to absorb new products. (d) The terms and conditions of trading in each area. (e) Existing Customs tariffs, trade agreements, etc. (f) Existing shipping, wharf and storage facilities. (g) The means of distribution within each particular area, and the transport available. (h) The necessary financial arrangements in each market. (i) Methods of advertising most suited to the particular market. (j) Suitable business firms, agents, etc., in any particular market. DAIRYING SIDELINES The fall in dairy produce prices resulting in reduced incomes from dairying has led to discussions regarding the possibilities of augmenting dairy farmers’ incomes by means of other commodities that might be produced ou dairy farms. Whilst the proposal for enlarging the incomes of dairy farmers in this way has some merit, it must be stated that the successful production of most of the commodities which can be suggested as suitable to supplement dairying requires —highly specialised knowledge. In many eases it ij unreasonable to expect that dairy farmers who until now have devoted their whole attention to dairying can immediately adapt themselves to the production, on a competitive and profitable basis,, of these commodities. We therefore rccoiltinend tjiat the Council of Production and Trade be given statutory authority to take immediate steps to set up a pig industry development committee, the committee to consist of representatives of the Dairy Produce Control Board, the Meat Producers’ Board, producers’ organisations, the Bacon Curers’ Association and the Government, and to be vested with the necessary authority. This committee should work in close co-operation with the Meat Producers’ Board, which should continue its present shipping functions in respect of pig meats.