DAIRY OUTPUT LOWER

Southland Times, Issue 23664, 12 November 1938, Page 18

DAIRY OUTPUT LOWER

SHORTAGE OF FARM LABOUR CAUSE OF DECREASE IN PRODUCTION Labour difficulties are blamed in the annual report of the New Zealand Dairy Board for some part of the sharp decrease in dairy production m New Zealand during file season which ended on July 31, 1938. Production statistics reveal what is probably the beginning of some decline in dairy production. The report also.blames labour difficulties for the falling off in the number of cows in herd-testing The season was variable, but in the main there was plentiful ram, except in Otago and Southland, where there was what amounted to a drought, states the report. While variations between one season and another probably accounted for some of the decline in production, labour difficulties were the dominating factor. The r ®P° rt predicts that the introduction of the 40-hour week in so many other industries would have an ever-increasing tendency to deflect labour from the dairy industry, where labour conditions are much more irksome. “A very serious position is developing in connection with the production of cheese within the Dominion. Even under ordinary circumstances the maintenance of the supply of milk to cheese factories was proving difficult for two principal reasons, the work and expense entailed in delivering milk to a centre, say, two miles distant, compared with simply placing the cream cans at the farm gate where a butter factory is being supplied and the company arranges all cartage; and, second, the wish of farmers to have skim-milk for young stock, INCREASED COSTS

“The position has been very greatly accentuated by the tendency for increased costs—due to the higher wages, shorter hours and overtime payments, applying to dairy factory workers—to fall more heavily upon cheese factories, particularly the smaller ones, tnan upon butter-making companies. "A recent survey of all the cheeseproducing companies within the minion made by the Department of Agriculture, and that only up to the 1936-37 season, showed that more than half of these companies were showing a tendency to decrease in output. The position for 1937-38 will show an increasing tendency in that direction. As a matter of fact, there are indications that unless something is done to improve their position, some 20 odd ox the smaller factories will cease operations. The board has urged upon the Government the necessity for the setting up of a committee to fully investigate the position, but the request was declined. It has also associated itself with a number of deputations which have waited upon , Cabinet Ministers in this connection.”

CHEESE CONSUMPTION IN BRITAIN The report includes a number of communications from English sources which indicate that the claiin that cheese consumption in Great Britain is declining is not according to fact. • A slight improvement in the quality of butter exported is reported. This is stated to be due to the incentive offered by the Government for better gradings through different prices, more daily deliveries of cream, and an improvement because of zoning in the quality of cream arriving at factories. In view of the unfavourable season climatically, the result is stated to be very good. Cheese was not so satisfactory, and a small falling off in quality was recorded. “The figures for group herd testing unfortunately show a slight falling off compared with previous seasons, states the report. “Labour problems on the farms have undoubtedly, affected the position, many farmers being more worried as to how to have the cows milked than in obtaining a reliable estimate of the production of each. The production of tested cows is also lower than in the previous season. In view of the very hot summer experienced, particularly in some parts of the North Island, this decrease was not unexpected.”