CHEESE FOR GREAT BRITAIN

Southland Times, Issue 17652, 9 February 1916, Page 2

CHEESE FOR GREAT BRITAIN

IMPE RIA L GOVERNMENT'S PURCHASES. ADVANTAGE TO MANUFACTURERS. (Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, February 7. Air D. Nathan, of Wellington, speaking at the opening of a cheese factory at Aka Aka recently, declared that tlie taking at 7’Ad per lb of an article that is to-day worth Sd involved special taxation on a particular section of Hie farming community. Tins view of tlie position is controverted by Iho Prime Aiinister. who asserts that the requisitioning of the output has been of direct benefit to cheesemakers. "The effect of the Government’s entrance into the market,” said Mr Massey, "was that the price of cheese went up with a bound. Cheese is today worth considerably, more than the 7’id per lb which is being paid for the supply of imperial requirements; The cost of the Imperial order will be about £1.100,000. Speaking generally, I can say that it has had a very good effect on the industry. Not only is tlie price of cheese higher to-day than it lias ever been, *but it is worth recalling that before the arra-ngement was made nearly tlie whole of tlie output of the South Island had been sold at about 7d per lb. By tlie action of tlie Imperial Government it lias been made certain that shipment’for this very valuable product will be secured without difficulty. Otherwise, owing to the scarcity of shipping, there might have been a somewhat serious delay. From November 4 (the inception of ilie scheme) to February 3 tlie Government purchased 5014 tons, the payments amounting to £338.108 on behalf of the Imperial Government.” COMMANDEERED CHEESE. PRICE PAID FOR PRODUCE. Two interesting speeches were delivered at tlie official opening of the Waikato Co-operative Cheese Company’s cheese factory at Aka Aka on Thursday last. Mr D. Nathan, senior director of Wellington emphasised (lie necessity for taking a good raw article to tlie factory. He had seen elrtese sold in England at is and is 3d per lb. They had a long way to go before their cheese would realise such prices, hut he suggested that they would do well to keep the morning's milk in a separate vat from the evening’s milk. The factory lie considered complete in every detail. He was of Jhe opinion that in four or five years’ time the Aka Aka people would be able to boast of four or five similar factories, while if the moderate advances were looked after they would be able to erect a butter factory close handy, and could change from cheese to butter if necessary. In time to come they would have factories for manufacturing condensed milk. It would be wise for them when they were making more money to send a representative to travel and follow up the methods adopted in America, Canada, and Holland. Ho deprecated the action of tlie Government in taking over such a large proportion of the output of cheese factories at 7’id per lb, when the cheese that day was worth 3d, a difference of £l6 per (on. or, on 15,000 tons, of £240,000. AVhy should that industry be specially taxed, he asked? Such should not be so. Ho was opposed to class taxation. It was a special contribution or war lax on a particular section of the farming community. No doubt the 7’id was a fair price, based on the experience of previous years, but if the cheese had to be taken why not al portion of the wool and butter? No farmer grumbled at having lo subscribe to tlie war funds; they had given of their best, their families, and it did seem unfair that that particular section should be singled out for that particular treatment. >. Air J. H. Young. M.P., for Waikato, apologised for the absence of Mr AY. F. Alassey, who had notified him that he was unable lo make the trip. Proceeding, Mr Young referred to tlie necessity of carefully handling the raw material. I.f Hi at was not attended to they could not expect a high-class article. They were interested in the business for profit, not for fun, so they should follow the advice of the manager, Air Harvey, and proceed on scientific lines. The manufacture of sugar of milk was most important, as it was becoming essential for the .feeding of infants. The chemists charged Is or Is 6d per lb for it, and it could be manufactured for per lb. Through having to rely on Europe for rennet there might be a shortage of that article, and the matter would have to be considered and steps taken to see if New Zealand could not be entirely independent of other countries for a supply. It was his first trip to the Aka Aka swamp lands, and he was greatly impressed with the quality of the soil. When the plough was put into it a wonderful change would be brought about, and later more factories would he required. Tlie distinct would prosper as the land was brought into a proper state. In reference to the point raised by Air Nathan in respect to what he termed the “class tax” levied by the Government on cheese producers. Air Y r oung said that Uiat point required some explanation. It was not really a tax on the cheese producer. The Government had commandeered a proportion of the output of all cheese factories in the dominion, for which they paid a certain price 7’Ad. That purchase was on behalf of the Imperial Government, and went to feed tlie troops of Britain and her Allies on active service. That was a most important point, as it assured the cheese producers of fiae country of the certainty of getting for tlie residue the main volume of their produce shipping accommodation to get it to England, which was the main market for fixing the price ruling for cheese. it would be little satisfaction to tlie cheese producers of New Zealand, lie said, to know that cheese was worth a good price in London if they conld not find the shipping space to get it to tlie market. Therefore the suggestion that the cheese producer was specifically taxed as against any other class of producer was one that was likely to convey a .wrong impression. Mr Y'oung then formally declared the factory opened.