The Daily News. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1900. THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 205, 4 October 1900, Page 2

The Daily News. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1900. THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

%. week ago we published a very interesting article on tbe struggle for the EDgM butter market, This &|icld -gave ,a French view of the position, -and should be carefully studied by every settler in Taranaki. It pointed out how from being a comparatively insignificant factor in the exports from Prance to England, the export of French butter rose until it amounted.to 66,000,0001bs |in 1876. At that time, France occupied the first place amongst countries exporting butter to England. From that time there has been a slow but steady decline, till at the present time France supplies only one-tenth of the butter imports of Great Britain. The article went onto point out how this unfavourable position has been brought about, and our object in referring to it here is to ask if what has taken place in France does not contain a lesson 1 for Sew Zealand ?In 1895 the total export of butter from the colony was! 57,964cwf, since then great strides have been : made.' The following table, showing the imports of butter into the TJnitedKingdoin, with their respective values,' has been compiled from the Board of Trade returns, as published in' the London Commercial Record of August 20th, 1900, and is for a period of seven months previous to July 31st, 1900. It shows the position occupied by New Zealand in comparison with other countries exporting butter into the Home market :

Totals ... 2,030,841 10,431,777 In many respects the position, as shown here, is very satisfactory. When it is considered how small and scattered the population of the colony is, the difficulties of transit, the distance from the Home market aad other details, it must be admitted that wonderful strides have been made. The article we have already referred to shows what a desperate struggle is going on to capture the English market. In JRussia, Sweeden, and Denmark, the Governments are doing all in their power to encourage and foster the indus»ry amongst their people. In America, also, and the other countries and colonies mentioned', every effort is being made to secure and maintain a favourable position on the English market. In New Zealand the Government has done a great deal for the industry, but the indications are not so favourable as we should like to see them, that this assistance is to be continued with the energy which the importance of the question and the determination of the struggle demands. The circular lately issued to Dairy Companies, throwing the half of the freezing charges on the Dairy Companies, is a backward step which te greatly to be deplored. The promised Dairy School so necessary to the welfare of tbe industry is not being proceeded with with the promptitude desirable. Instead of allowing wire-pulling to secure it for any particular district, an independent capable expert should be called upon to deride the moit suitable place for it and it shouid be set going withoutdelay. Tne.appointment of dairy experts is also not all satisfactory. For years past those appointed have used the position as a 6 ; ;epping-stone to something better, and in several cases they have taken the knowledge gained by them, of the peculiar conditions of dairying; in New Zealand, to other countries, and are dow in a position to us 9 that special knowlodge to the disadvantage of this colony in the competition between New Zaland and thek present location for a share of the Engli-h trade. While we are not prepared to go into all the many ways in wh : ch we consider the Government could do moio than tLey are doing to aseist our dairy farmers in the struggle they aro engaged in, we must say that in this matt'-r of experts wa consider if the Government would select one of ths best of O'.tr own duirymes, rtftd Bend him on a tour round tho great diirying countries, particularly Canada and Dt-nmask, that the cusi would be money well and veiy great benefits would be derived thereby.

From cwfc. Value £ 583,575 Russia ... 120,937 Sweden ... 114,498 578,414 Denmark ... 021,818 4,874,877 Germany ... 32,392 172,23!) Holland' ... ... 164,586 822,505 France . ... ... ,,194,014 1,078,984 United States ... 17,607 77,540 Victoria .. 150,893 730,52:! New South Wales , ,.. 60,660 292,421 New Zealand... ... 132,801 631,201 Canada ... 35,728 162,743 Other Countries ... 90,847 426.766