The Daily News TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1934. THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 September 1934, Page 6

The Daily News

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1934. THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

OFFICES: NEW PLYMOUTH, Currie Street. STRATFORD, Broadway. HAWERA, High Street.

The supplement published with this issue of the Daily News needs no special explanation. It makes articulate the desire of all who are interested in the welfare of Taranaki to see the dairy industry flourish once more, and is issued in the hope that it may be of service in that great cause. Most people are aware that the industry is at the parting of the ways. Principles of trading that seemed as permanent as the hills are being challenged in every country; even the old and apparently immutable law of supply and demand has been thwarted and restricted, at all events temporarily, by politically manufactured economic measures, and the end of it all no man can yet foresee. The Dominion’s greatest industry has been compelled, therefore, to take stock. It is a process any well managed organisation must undergo from time to time, and while such inquiries indicate where weaknesses require attention they should also show the direction in which action taken has proven wise and show the way towards greater future success. It is generally sound business to look at the weaknesses first, and in regard to the dairy industry the marketing problems are grave enough to cause serious concern. The concern is the greater because the solution of those problems must be found to a very large extent outside the Dominion. It is wrapped up in the fiscal policy of Great Britain, a matter which, as in New Zealand, must be regarded as entirely a domestic concern. But even there the Dominion has the assurance of men like the Governor-General and others who know public opinion in Britain that there is in the United Kingdom a sense of kinship and friendship with New Zealand that should have an influence in framing policies in both countries. Next to political action there comes the trading relations between exporters in New Zealand and importers in Britain. There has been much to regret in the bickerings and misunderstandings of the past in regard to these relations. They are one of the matters in which it is to be hoped some lead will be given in the report of the Royal Commission, and that the aim of both exporter and importer will be to foster a trade that both can feel proud of. In one respect distinct advance has been made. It is admitted throughout the industry that high quality is the only foundation upon which successful trading can be built. Only last week a high official was able to say that the best of New Zealand’s produce could be said to fulfil requirements in Great Britain. The standard is obtainable. It is only a question of bringing all manufacture up to finest quality. In such matters as shipping and insurance the industry is being well served by its leaders, and they constitute what may be termed entries of valuable assets as the stocktaking of the industry proceeds. Nor do they stand alone. In the supplement to this issue will be found ample evidence of the willingness of the scientist and the commercial man to further the dairy industry. The scientist shows how by caye of livestock and pasture and in handling raw products waste can be eliminated and high quality secured. The commercial man, having applied research to practical purposes and by evolving suitable equipment for farm and factory, is also helping in his turn to improve output and cheapen production costs. Fin-* ally there is the greatest asset o f a n—the determination and grit of the farming community. The dairy farmers in Taranaki and elsewhere have had four years battering by circumstances over which they had scant control, though it may be that errors and selfishness added to the collapse of prices.. But the fact remains that the industry has not been daunted by adversity. The search for better methods in farm and factory has been continuous and to some extent successful. The historical notes published to-day show how fierce was the struggle before the dairy industry established itself in this province. Even the co-operative system that seems such a matter of course to-day had to be reconstructed after defeats that seemed conclusive, and the struggles of the individual producers, were they set forth in detail, would present an epic story of continuous, almost heartbreaking effort on the part of men and women that would make almost impossible any fear of their descendants’ defeat by untoward circumstance. And the happenings of the past four years warrant belief that courage and determination will win again. There has been no slack-

ening but a quickening of effort. Low prices have been countered by greater production and higher quality, and lower incomes by self-sacrifice, while there has been engendered a spirit of better understanding between individuals and organisations that must be of benefit to all concerned. It would be foolish, though easy, to indulge in optimistic platitudes. Nevertheless it is true, that while the dairy industry has grave problems ahead it has also splendid resources and well-equipped allies ready to give all the aid they can. Despite the clouds the industry is justified in taking fresh courage, meeting new conditions with new methods, but with the determination that has made possible its marvellous development.