THE FUTURE OF DAIRYING

Taranaki Daily News, 23 July 1931, Page 8

THE FUTURE OF DAIRYING

NEW ZEALAND’S ADVANTAGES.

POTENTIALLY LEADER OF WORLD

/ “We must admit,” said Mr. C. M. Hume, Hamilton, in addressing the Tokaora Farmers’ Union on Tuesday night, “that Denmark is the leading dairy country of the world. It will remain the leading dairy country of the world just long as New Zealand lets it. We have a better climate, better pastures, and, if we concentrated on it, better stock. New Zealand has eveiythincr in its favour.” New Zealand dairymen . had made their living fairly easily in the past, but low prices had changed that. In three or four years they would look back and say the 1930-31 slump was the best thing that could, have happened, for even °at lower prices they . would be better off because the production per cow and per acre would be greatly increased. They had to recognise that the old prices of Is 6d and Is 8d per lb. but-ter-fat had gone, for a time at least, and they would have to expect only about Is per lb. There were 60,000 dairy farmers who would have to make their farms pay at these prices. As soon as the average production reached 3001 b. butter-fat per cow they would do so, and New. Zealand would become recognised as the best dairying country in the world. This would not only mean profit to-the existing farmers, but men who were now considering going into wheat farming in Canada or Aus-, tralia would find the wheat outlook too black and turn to dairying. They would come to New Zealand as the best place. The 1921-22 slump had made the Waikato as a dairying district. It was then recognised that three points needed attention. First it was felt that a better system of herd-testing was required; then came th more common use' of fertilisers; and lastly the use of more pedigree bulls. In 20 years' New Zealand dairymen had increased the average production per cow by 701 b. butter-fat, but In the last four years it had been increased by 401 b. butter-fat. This was the period where the group herd-testing associations began to go ahead. Denmark had built her dairy cow up from 801 b. fat t„ 2911 b. in 67 years. Denmark waft not ■the size of the Auckland province, but had as many cows as the whole of New Zealand. Nevertheless, despite Danish farming methods, they had not been able to inc-ease production by 401 b. in four years. In many directions Denmark’s production costs were considerably higher than New Zealand’s. HAWERA GOLFERS BEATEN. MANAIA WIN AT HOME. Wednesday members, of the Hawera Goif Club visited Manaia yesterday and suffered defeat at the hands of the local players by five games to two. Details, with Manaia players first, are:— Armitage and Butler lost to Sinclair and Hunt 2 and I. Young and Ryan lost to Blair and Vinnicombo 1 down. Miller and Davis beat Ward and Robb 1 up. Jordan and Walker beat Harrop and Batchelor 4 and 3. Burke and Meuli beat Hainsworth and Cullen 8 and 6.

Spooi.'cr and Gyde beat Henderson and Brown 3 and 2.

. Hammonds and McKay beat Fraser and Tosswill 4 and 3.

SOUTH TARANAKI HOCKEY.

MATCH WITH NORTH AT ELTHAM.

The following South Taranaki representative hockey team to meet North Taranaki at Eltham on Wednesday, July 29, has been selected: — Forwards: Percy (Oriental), G. Surgenor (Otakeho), J. Watson (Alhambra), Herbert (Otakeho), Windle (Oriental), Moloney (Oriental)'.' Halves: Cruickshanks (Alhambra), Duncan (Oriental), Campbell (Otakeho), Berry (Manaia). Backs: Thompson (Oriental), A. Surgenor (Otakeho), A. Ryan (Alhambra). Goalkeepers: Kehley (Alhambra), Haines (Otakeho). In a ladies’ match at Hawera Ramblers drew with Manaia, one all. Miss N. Davis scored for the home team and Miss M. Wilson for Manaia. WHAREROA NOTES. WOMEN’S DIVISION FUNDS. The ladies of the district gave a dance and euchre party in the Wliareroa hall on Friday. There was a very fair attendance. The hall was beautifully decorated with coloured streamers and bunches of greenery. The music was supplied by Mrs. Bennett, and Miss Grierson played an extra. The Monte Carlo waltz was won by Miss Gwen George and Mr. Grierson. The euchre prizes were carried oil - by Mrs. Cruickshank and Mr. Grierson, and the consolation prizes by Mrs. Langdon and Mr. Sam Kerr. Mr. Colin Smith presented the prizes and acted as master of ceremonies. As a result of the effort the W.D.F.U. funds will benefit considerably. The residence of Mr. and Mrs. Darcy Hicks was the scene of a festive gathering on Tuesday night, when friends and relations from far and near gathered to welcome home the bridal couple and give them a “tin canning.” The evening was spent in singing, dancing and cards. GENERAL ITEMS. Flying Officer J. M. Buckeridge, with his father, Mr. G. H. Buckeridge, as passenger, flew from Hawera to Palmerston North yesterday, returning just before dark. The Hawera Plunket nurse reported to Monday’s meeting of the committee last night that there were 433 old cases under care and 21 new cases; 547 visits had been paid to the office during the month, and 192 visits to homes had been made by the nurse. In the South Taranaki Wednesday Rugby competition Fraser Road defaulted to Ohangai yesterday. Competition for the prizes at the Kapuni hall euchre party on Tuesday was keen, and in the ladies’ section Mesdames A. F. Kruse, F. McPhillips and H. Whalen tied. Mrs. Kruse was first, and Mrs. McPhillips second in the final. Messrs. T. Barr and R. G. Hodge tied in the men’s section, the play-off being in favour of Nir. Barr. The next euchre will be the final of the winter series, and the season’s points prizewinners will be announced.