THE DAIRYING INDUSTRY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 116, 8 July 1911, Page 5

THE DAIRYING INDUSTRY.

ADDRESS BY MR CUDDIE. Mr Cuddie, in responding to the toast of “The Dairying Industry” at the dinner given to Lord Islington at Hawera on Wednesday night, said that many of those present would remember the struggling days of the dairy industry, when it was not looked upon as a very profitable branch of agriculture. At that time, about 20 years ago, there was practically no export trade, and the only men who wore really making a fair living wore those who were supplying a town with milk and those who made butter for local consumption. But the butter market was often glutted, and ho had seen a fairly large line sold for Id per lb. With the advent of the separator dairying became a profitable industry. They were able to find an outside market for their butter and cheese, and by gradually improving the industry it was now bringing into the country over three millions per annum. During the short time it had been established dairying had made wonderful progress. They all must have been inspired by His Excellency’s remarks that day. One thing was certain, they would not influence the oversea markets, but by sending, the very best quality, and by doing this they could rest assured that they would succeed. Someone had referred to the possibility of lower prices. They had their remedy. They could reduce the cost of production by improving their dairy herds. They bad in this country a class of cows which could not ho beaten for productiveness, and if they weeded out those that were unprofitable they would safeguard themselves against the bad effect a drop in prices might have. By increasing the supply of milk the cost of manufacture would also f)o cheaper. The herd testing which had been carried out had created great interet, especially amongst tiio sons of farmers. The Testing Association showed that some cows earned from £lO to £l7 per annum, and others were not earning as many siblings, and some made an actual loss. The ' progress or dairying had been very largely due to tthe enterprise of farmers. It was only necessary to show them that certain methods will sivc them money, and they readily adopt them. They had here factories which would compare with those in any part of the world. He had visited Canada, United States, and Denmark, aval he came back to New Zealand fully convinced that our factories are better equipped than those in any oilier part of the world.— “Star.”