MOKOTUA NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 21913, 14 January 1933, Page 9

MOKOTUA NOTES

DAIRY INDUSTRY. (From Our Correspondent.) That the dairy industry is in a parlous state is amply demonstrated by the fact that Mokotua Dairy Factory directors have decided upon a pay-out for December of only 6d per lb butterfat, this being a record low price. It is understood Oteramika factory payout is to be 7d. One Mokotua factory supplier recently informed the writer that this was the first occasion since he started farming in 1913 that his herd failed to average £1 per cow for December, last month’s figure being 19/6. At a meeting held at the Mokotua Dairy Factory on Wednesday morning (Mr C. Clay, being chairman), a motion was carried, as follows: “That in view of the low prices being realized for primary products, the Dairy Control Board be requested to reduce the levy on butter and cheese 50 per cent, for the present season.” At the same meeting the following was also carried unanimously:—“That in view of the low prices ruling for dairy products overseas, the Farmers’ Union be requested to press for relief for farmers as under: —A further cut of 25 per cent, in salaries; also 25 per cent, on interest and rents; the derating of all land used for farming, but excluding all land held for speculative purposes; that machinery and plant used by farmers and dairy companies be admitted free from customs duties; that farmers be exempted from payment of the unemployment levy; that the Government be requested to subsidize and help the control boards to develop new markets for our products overseas.” It was decided that the motion be forwarded to the Prime Minister, Southland members of Parliament, and the Dominion executive of the Farmers’ Union. Tennis. Tennis in the district is in a flourishing state and large attendances are the rule at Mokotua Tennis Club’s court, which is fully occupied during both afternoons and evenings. Several improvements have been carried out, notably in connection with the netting fences, and the surface, though clay, is becoming fast to play on, due to the dry spell of weather. The tennis club dance is advertised to take place on Thursday next, and the committee are making preparations for a bumper house. Dances, in spite of the warm season, seem to be extremely popular this year and Mokotua tennis club are making sure of a large crowd by engaging a free bus for Thursday night, full particulars of which will be found in our advertising columns. A start has at last been made with the construction of a hard court on the school playground which, when completed, should prove an immense improvement.