REDUCED DAIRY PRODUCTION

Southland Times, Issue 25504, 26 October 1944, Page 3

REDUCED DAIRY PRODUCTION

GOVERNMENT POLICY BLAMED “Despite all that has been said in its favour, guaranteed prices in so far as the dairy industry is concerned have not proved a panacea for all the ills that beset it,” said Mr K. J. Holyoake, M.P. for Pahiatua, during an address at West Plains last night in support of the National Party candidate in the Awarua by-election. In spite of the extraordinary claims made by Labour speakers, the fact remained that the farmer had received only market returns over the period in which guaranteed prices had operated, he said. The dairy industry received great prominence over the war period because of Great Britain’s urgent call for all types of edible fats., “Let us see how the Governments policy has affected production,” Mr Holyoake continued. “In 1935-36, the year in which the present Trades Hall Government came into office, the total production of butterfat increased by 4 per cent. The next year it increased by another 5 per cent. Then in 1937-38, the first year in which the guaranteed price became fully operative, production decreased by 6J per cent. At this stage costs of production rapidly began to overtake prices, with the result that in the 1938-39 season production again fell by 13 per cent. Then came the war, and the urgent call from Great Britain for increased production of foodstuffs. “The dairy farmer, his workers and his family responded nobly. In spite of broken promises they had only one objective: increased production and the early defeat of Hitler. In 1939-40, production of butterfat increased by 10 per cent., and in 1940-41, athere was a further increase of 10.3 per cent., a magnificent effort under toying conditions.” FALL IN PRODUCTION Mr Holyoake said that in 1941-42 increased costs, plus manpower muddle and fertilizer shortage became the determining factors. In that year a decrease of 9.4 per cent, was shown, followed by a 12.5 per cent, decrease in the following year. While complete figures for this year were not available, the indications were that an even greater decrease would be shown. “In this crucial period,” said Mr Holyoake, “during which Great Britain has called desperately for foodstuffs, the muddlement of the Government has resulted in our total butterfat production showing a serious decline.”

The speaker contrasted this position with that in Great Britain, which, under the very shadow of war, had doubled its primary production during the period of hostilities. The fall in dairy herd population over recent years was very alarming, Mr Holyoake concluded. Between 1942 and 1944 there was a decrease of 55,000 dairy cows, and a fall in replacement heifers between 1942 and 1943 of 66,000. Between 1942 and 1943 the decrease in pig herds under one year was 68,000, and over the same period breeding sows had reduced in number by 9000. These figures revealed an alarming situation which would require drastic remedies if the industry was -to be placed once again on a stable basis. The chairman was Mr lan R. Wills. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried on the motion of Mr R. Hall and Mr H. Halligan.