NO INCREASE IN POPULARITY

Southland Times, Issue 24108, 23 April 1940, Page 6

NO INCREASE IN POPULARITY

DAIRY INDUSTRY IN DOMINION

POSITION SURVEYED BY MR W. E. HALE (United Press Association) PALMERSTON NORTH, April 22. “Production has been falling in New Zealand during the past three seasons because dairying under today’s high cost conditions is less attractive than formerly. The present season’s small increase is not due to any increased popularity in dairying. The symptoms that have caused the decline in past seasons are still there. Unless particularly favourable climatic conditions are experienced next season there is likely to be a downward trend once more, in spite of all efforts which the farmers will make to increase their production as part cf the war effort.” This statement was made by the chairman of the Dairy Produce Board, Mr W. E. Hale, in addressing the board’s ward conference.

“Without doubt, there is a feeling in all country districts that the effort required to produce a very modest living from dairying is much greater than that required from the majority of city

workers and that the hours and conditions of work compare exceedingly unfavourably,” Mr Hale continued. “One would be more hopeful of the future if one saw some evidence that certain sections of the workers, as, for instance, the watersiders, were showing recognition of the fact that only by increased efficiency could better living conditions be secured for the dairy farmers, who are tied under the guaranteed price to very high standards of efficiency, the standards of which have been arbitrarily imposed by the Minister. I feel that it is about time efficiency of a similar nature is demanded from other sections of the community in their work. CITY CONDITIONS “It is difficult to attract labour to farms when city conditions, both in wages and hours of work, are made so extremely attractive,” he said. “Unless some very radical alteration is made in the present policy I cannot see how increased production can be secured. The farm labour position is infinitely more serious today than it was last season because of the large numbers of enlistments of country boys in the Army.” Mi' Hale added that assistance to the industry to improve the position could come by three ways, an increase in the guaranteed price, subsidies on fertilizers, wages, and so on, and through a reduction in costs. The speaker also dealt with the menace of the inroads made by margarine in the British market. He said the board was urging upon the Minister of Marketing (the Hon. W. Nash) the need to counteract this by an advertising campaign.