NATIONAL DAIRY ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3247, 7 June 1916, Page 12

NATIONAL DAIRY ASSOCIATION.

THE ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report of the National Dairy Association for the year ended March 31 last is an exhaustive review of the dairy produce export season for 1915-16. it clearly shows how largely the dairy industry has contributed to the great wealth ol tho country considering its small population compared with its geographical dimensions. Taking the population at a million, and tho value of tlie exports of butter and cheese at £5,798,000 (us they were), tho wealth sent out of the country in the form of butter and cheese amounts to over £5 17s 6d per head for every man, woman, and child. Almost all of that wealth has gone to one market—tho United Kingdom. During tho year 58 new cheese factories and three new butter factories were registered. The outstanding features of tho year were three —viz., tho unusual conditions of the season itself compared with previous years; the unprecedented circumstances under which tho work wa s begun, continued, and .practically completed; and the abnormal results attained, notwithstanding tho difficulties to be overcome. The season began early, and had been remarkable throughout, the rainfall to the end ol 1915 being ample for the promotion of growth. Feed was abundant, but through insufficient sunshine was lacking in body. Milk was received in execs.? quantities as compared with previous years, and the maximum*was reached earlier than usual. Favourable climatic conditions were maintained until the beginning of 1916. Parts of tho Manawatu 4nd North Taranaki, also tho Wairarapa, suffered from withered pastures, and a consequent diminished milk supply; but the year has been on the whole favourable to tho dairying and pastoral industries, except in certain parts of the South Island. SHIPPING FACILITIES ' UNSATISFACTORY. With regard to shipping, the report states that "it has been unsatisfactory, owing primarily to tho shortage of tonnage and tho irregularity of departures." Whilst it is admitted that tho N.Z. Overseas Shipowners' Committee has done its best with the shipping at its disposal, "it is evident that tho requirements of the trade, both inward and outward, demand an increased number of steamers. _ It is obvious that as the volume of the Dominion's production yearly develops it becomes noccse.ar3' that tho facilities for ocean transport should be proportionately increased. Unfortunately for all concerned, this is not the prospect at present in view." The difficulties arising out of tho world-shortage of ships is recognised, but dairy producers arc- warned to be prepared against tho inconvenience and delay attendant on exports of butter and cheese. "It is, however, a matter for congratulation that trade has been well maintained, and the quantity shipped so large"—-taking into consideration tho exceptional circumstances attendant on shipping generally. COMMANDEERED CHEESE. Reference is rnado to tho requisitioning by the Government of a ooi'tain portion of the cheese produced in the Dominion at a fixed prico of 7|d per pound. "The important point of tin's compulsory sale is" (tho report continues) "that choose hiving advanced in value as between September 9 (when it was decided at tho ITawcra Conference to sell at 7d) and October 31. the limit of 7.!d was i given, when, considering the power vested j in the National Government, they might ; have taken the cheese at the original prico of 7d fixer] in September, or at any value j between that so fixed and the limit given." | Tn referring to the quality of the butter and cheese produced, the report states that : "tho quality of the butter exported has ; hardly reached tho same standard as j in previous years." As for the cheese, "there I has boon, during the past season, no general improvement in quality as compared with previous years." With regard to tho phenomenal prices \ realised for both butter and cheese, "there • has boon, during the past season, no general ! improvement in quality as compared with i previous years." With regard to the phenomenal prices realised for both butter and cheese, it is pointed out that the position is to bo aocounfed for a« follows: —Germany was a buyer of large quantities of Danish, tho embnrgo placed on French butter, tho diminished supplies from Siberia owing to transport difficulties, and the decline in exports I from the Commonwealth as a result of | drought, were all contributing fnetor-g in j creating an abnormal market. When it Is considered that the total quantity imported to the United Kinrrdom for tho twelve months ending April 70. 1916, is 43.000 torn less than for tho correspondinsr period of last year, butter values are understandable. Whilst during tho pnst three years butter ha.? advanced in value 45 | per cent., cheese has advanced 80 per cent., '

and a solution to this problem presents an entirely opposite set of conditions." NEW ZEALAND'S BEST CUSTOMER. At least 95 per cent, of the total quantity of exports of butter and cheese find their way to the United Kingdom. In the statistical tables accompanying the report it is shown that exports to Canada for 1915-16 have shrunk to 8115 boxes of butter, that San Francisco, which took 27,674 boxes in 1913-14 and 725 boxes only in the following year, took none in the year under review ; and that South Africa, a former good customer, took only 200 boxes. Australia, however, was a big buyer in the 1915-16 season, when 52,599 boxes were sent to that market; but this trade was exceptional, and is not likely to recur if seasons there are normal. Cheese is the most paying proposition, and practically all of this goes to the United Kingdom. Moreover, it pays the farmer, on present prices, infinitely better to turn his milk into cheese than into butter. Canada is a birr competitor with New Zealand iri this trade; but over a period of years it is shown that while the imports of Canadian cheese by Britain are drscendincr. those of New Zealand are increasing, although thev arc rather less this vear than last. The Unitcr States, too, this year has greatly increased its contribution of cheese to Great Britain.