The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1912. THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 28, 16 January 1912, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1912. THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

Commenting on the dairy industry, the “Lyttelton Times” remarks that tiie members of the South Island Dairy Association who met in Lyttelton the other day heard a pleasing story.-of progress'and prosperity. Canterbury' has been too busy'producing wool and meat to rival the dairy districts of the North Island in the production of butter and cheese, but there is evidence that the output of. the province in this branch of the farming industry is going to increase more rapidly in the future than it has done in the past. The. steady growth' of the price of hind is likely to induce many farmers to turn their attention to what is undoubtedly the most profitable, method of using good pasturage at the present time. The speakers at the conference naturally devoted most of their attention to the question of quality. They recognised, as every good dairyman does, that the maintenance of a very high standard in both butter and cheese is an essential factor in ensuring profitable returns in the local market and at Home, and they were not slow to acknowledge the assistance that the. Government has given in this respect. New Zealand has splendid natural advantages, qualified only by remoteness from the big markets, but without the friendly co-operation of the Agricultural Department the producers and the factory managers could not have hoped to attain rapidly the favourable position that they now hold in London. The schemes of inspection and grading by qualified officers are the basis of the reputation that has been won by the Dominion’s dairy produce. Mr. I). Cuddle indicated the lines along'which further improvement should take place, and wo have no doubt that his advice will be heeded. It is because the dairymen have boon willing to learn that their industry is bidding fair to become the most important in New Zealand.