DAIRYING INDUSTRY

Taranaki Daily News, 5 January 1935, Page 7

DAIRYING INDUSTRY

THE POSITION TO-DAY SALIENT POINTS SUMMARISED. MARKETS AND LAND VALUES. URGENT NEED OF FUTURE.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—Here with Christmas once-mor* as a background and a New Year and its problems facing us, it may be well to take stock of the dairy industry, and its own peculiar difficulties, which need no enumeration. Two foundation facts will serve as a base for a few remarks:— (1) The value of our produce isttfie price it will bring in the world’s mar* kets, which in our case are practically the markets of Britain. (2) Tire root of our troubles in New Zealand is the excessive or inflated value of land (and all it implies) in relation to prices ruling for the produce thereof. . Considering (2) first, which, although secondary and hinging upon (1), is that with which we are more closely concerned, and the solution of which must of necessity be largely found by ourselves,, it will be agreed by. all .thoughtful persons who have given the question any. consideration that every, class of the community shared in the high price period, and were all more or less infected, by the optimism of that time, which resulted in the land.boom and its fancy prices. Ignoring past experience and' the lessons of history, the boom was built upon an unstable -foundation, the unsound assumption that high prices for produce would continue. Inevitably, rotten foundations resulted in collapse, the main weight of it falling upon the farmer as the man nearest the fault. The Goverftment’s plans- of relief, by reduction of interest charges and long-term mortgage legislation, are both commendable efforts, only it must be emphasised that as all classes had a share in the land boom, the Government of ..the day included, the fact should be considered in the framing of the proposed legislation. It would be manifestly unfair to allow the public-to believe the whole blame for inflated prices rests on the farmer alone. It may be taken for granted that the good sense of the industry in general disapproves of a subsidy, or any similar drain on the resources of the Dominion. Support will no doubt be given to a continued and sustained effort to improve quality in every respect, but in this direction steps. to - bring about a . fuller realisation, by everyone engaged in the industry, of the fact that we' are. occupied in the production of an article of food for human consumption, would render doubly effective any regulations, etc., framed in the interests of cleanliness and careful handling. The industry’s first and particular duty is the production of articles of outstanding purity and quality. This accomplished, half the battle is won. 'Under changed and changing conditions the Government must of necessity take charge of trading operations in their wide, or international, aspects. Apart from what is absolutely necessary in this direction, nothing mandatory dr compulsory should be attempted.. The road to success under the conditions, and the existih'g" ideals of British trade, lies in the closest co-operation with, not in direction and control of, merchants and firms who are life-trained experts in their own particular line. Goods of character and quality in. the hands of such men will always find a market, if one is to be found. The same, applies to other markets which are worth attention and effort to obtain. Coming back to (1), the New Zealand dairy industry, big though it is, cannot dictate prices on the world’s or Britain 5 markets, which are largely a question of supply and demand. At the moment this natural law is modified to a certain extent by tariffs, quotas and enactments, and one of the most difficult tasks confronting our New Zealand Government at present is the steering of a judicious course through the maze. The wise and statesmanlike handling of this intricate problem means much to Ney Zealand, and the dairy industry should not render the task more difficult .by clamouring for concessions which commonsense condemns. The. Home .Government is quite justified in imposing a quota, if it considers it is necessary for the welfare of its own citizens. Should it do so, can we order its immediate withdrawal? ’ Let us rather be wise to our best interests, and act upon the Kings suggestion, by approaching our problems with Britain and our sister Dominions in the true family spirit. We stand to gain by doing so, not lose. There is no need to unduly sacrifice our own rights, but as honourable members of the. same Imperial family we are jn justice and honour bound to recognise and consider the claims of others. In this way the hands of our own Government will be Strengthened, and the Home Government will more readily respond to the wishes of a reasonable than an. unreasonable customer. New Zealand’s position and claims are capable of being still more strikingly and effectively placed before the Governments and peoples of the Empire, and much depends upon the whole-hearted efforts and personality of those called upon to assist and advise the Govern-, ment apd the industry. They should b* men whose interests are definitely in th® dairy, industry, but with minds broad enough to enable them to see and grasp , the many problems in the wider arena which call for solution. Granted this and the backing of the industry, there 1 is no reason why under Divine guidance (which our King rightly calls attention to) New Zealand with its natural advantages should not lead the world in dairying to the mutual advantage of both.— > I am, etc., GIBSON. Rahotu, January 4.

POTATOES. (To the Editor.) Sir,— A note of warning appears necessary with regard to this season s crops of potatoes. The season has been very dry, possibly too dry, and crops haveconsequently done apparently well, and have been fairly free from the Phythopthera Infestaus (Potato Blight). However, it may be found that the turn out of the crop is not as good as the general appearance of the crop would suggest. The point, however, of this letter is that following the long dry spell, the recent rains are having a detrimental effect on the tubers which have matured early, and although the "tops” may appear to ba still growing and to be fresher in appearance, it will probably be found that the cause of this is “second growth." Those with crops still growing would be well advised to look for “second growth.” and if existing the potatoes should be dug out at once and stored. To my knowledge this “second growth” is now prevalent, and I trust these few words of advice may be appreciated, and the value of the crop so secured.—l am, etc., L. B. WEBSTER. New Plymouth, Jan. 4.