DAIRYING INDUSTRY

Southland Times, Issue 21118, 25 June 1930, Page 8

DAIRYING INDUSTRY

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION.

IMPORTANT ANNUAL CONFERENCE.

PAST SEASON REVIEWED.

(Per United Press Association.)

Hamilton, June 24.

The annual meeting of the National Dairy Association, the most important conference in the dairying industry at which 500 delegates from all over New Zealand are attending, opened in Hamilton to-day. ■The conference is presided over by the president, Mr A. Morton. A civic reception was accorded the delegates in which the Mayor, Mr J. R. low, stated that Hamilton esteemed it an honour that it had at last been selected for such a gathering. He mentioned that Hamilton had been built up almost solely by the farming industry and the town was the centre of one of the largest dairying areas in the world. Top-dressing and in, tensive farming had had a wonderful effect not only on the output of the whole district, but on the progress and prosperity of the town and he extended to all a most cordial welcome. In returning thanks Mr Morton remarked that there was a great deal to be seen and something to be learnt in the matter of pasture development. Waikato of all districts, he thought, had shown the greatest progress in the application of fertilizers and intensive farming.

Top-dressing. Reviewing the season Mr Morton referred to the phenomenal growth of top-dressing. The increase in dairy production in the past decade had been remarkable. In the 1919-20 season production for the Dominion consisted of 13/,030,0001b of butterfat and in the 1928-29 season the output was 282,000,0001 b of butterfat, more than double in ten years. Since then there had been an increase of between 11 per cent, and 12 per cent, on the production of the previous year and total production would reach 300,000,0001 b. About 20 years ago, added Mr Morton, he was told at. the conference at Palmerston North that in ten years production would be doubled. In that time it had been quadrupled. This had been done without full use being made of herd-testing and manures. What had the future to hold ? “I feel sure that we can again double production within a period of years which I may not live to see,” he said. To show the great growth of the use of manures in different parts pf New Zealand, Mr Morton quoted various figures. It was also interesting to note the great advances made regarding the importation ot manures during the past few vears. Following were the importations: In 1919 76,950 tons; in 1927, 249,000 tons; in 1928, 310,000 tons; and last year 362,000 tons. Herd Testing. Referring to herd testing Mr Morton said that it was significant that since its introduction the average production per cow had risen from 1001 b. of butterfat to 2151 b., a highly creditable result when the number of cows undergoing .test were considered. Speaking of the matter of increased production as a compensating factor against lower prices, Mr Morton said some held that to produce more for a market that already was glutted, would be folly. He thought it good advice to ask dairy producers to increase their individual production per cow per acre. If they could do that, they would lessen the cost of production. That was the thing all had to strive for. (Applause.) By increasing individual productions per cow per acre would to some extent compensate them for the lower prices they must expect in the future. Dealing with the quality of the Dominion’s butter, the speaker said that this had been Xvell maintained and he thought its reputation on the Home market was better ' now than five years ago when he was at i Home. This was probably due to the use I of fewer neutralizing materials resulting in j fuller flavour. Unfortunately the position ■ with regard to quality of New Zealand cheese was not so favourable during the past vear.i Only 24 per cent, of New Zealand cheese had been graded finest while 74 per cent. had been first grade and 2 per cent, under first Separating the figures of the North and South Islands, he found that in the North Island last year there was 164 per cent finest while in the South Island there was 55 per cent, finest. In the North Island there was 81} per cent, graded first and in the South Island 44 per cent, first. In the North Island there was 24 per cent, under first and in the South Island 1 per cent.

Dairy Machinery Tariff. The prohibitive tariff placed on dairy machinery was commented on by the president in his review. He regretted to say that at the present time the tariff on dairy machinery was being looked upon by the Government more in the light of revenueproducing than as assistance to the local industry. On some machinery imported as much as £lOO imposition was placed. It seemed absolutely unfair that the industry- should be penalized by having to pay this excessively- heavy duty. The heavy tariffs on imported stockfoods was also matter for comment by Mr. Morton who said that some stock foods were unobtainable owing to the prohibitive tariff. With the dairy idustry in the position it was to-day with a great lowering of prices and prospects of a rise not very bright for some years to come, dairy men were forced to turn their attention to by-products. Here again, however, they were confronted with an impossible position with regard to stock foods which prevented them from making pigs a payable side line. The position was iniquitous. “While production figures cause us every satisfaction, when we come to marketingthere is a different tale to tell,” said Mr. Morton. “Results this season have been very disappointing,’’ he added. “There has been a very considerable world wide depression affecting all lines of trade and we have been drawn irresistibly into the depression and are suffering now from its effects.” It was only natural to suppose that New Zealand dairy farmers would have to accept the lower range of prices for their produce though it was never thought that they would reach the level they had got to within the last two months. During the last week or two there had been a gradual rise which was more hopeful, but they had definitely to look forward to a lower range of prices for both cheese and butter "and particularly- butter, than those they had enjoyed during the past few years. They must accept the fact that the market had dropped 2d. and 3d. per lb and would have to base calculations in future on a price amounting to 1/3 or 1/4. “Every time the Arbitration Court sits to frame a Dairy- Workers’ Award, it grants additional concessions to the workers without considering whether or not the industry is able to stand it,” said Mr. Morton. There was, he added, never a corresponding concession to the employers. This kind of thing, he said, had been going on for a considerable time and had every appearance of continuing. The question arose yvhether primary industries should not be eliminated from the operation of the Arbitration Act altogether. _ Election of Directors. , The following directors were re-elected: Auckland, Mr. E. S. Tremaine; Taranaki, Mr. A. Morton; Wellington, Mr. J. G. Brechin.