MORE PRODUCTION

Waikato Independent, Volume XXIII, Issue 3071, 16 June 1923, Page 4

MORE PRODUCTION

Sir George Elliot (Chairman of Directors of the Bank of New Zealand), in his address at Wellington yesterday, had some trenchant remarks to make wit]} regard to the dairy industry, the development, of which is of such vital importance to the whole community. The speaker referred particularly to the necessity of increasing the ' output of dairy produce .through improvement of the dairy herds—a matter that has been engaging fho ctoao attention of. -ttougfctffal tiwm pa-sf,

but which still affords ample opportunity for renewed efforts. Sir George Elliot quoted figures from a recent statistical report, although not guaranteed as being absolutely correct, which might be taken as near enough for the purpose for which they were prepared. These show that the number of cows dry and in milk in New Zealand on January 31st, 1922, totalled 1,137,000. After making an allowance for the number of cows which are used for the local sales of milk and cream, it is estimated that the average production of butterfat per cow for the 1921-22 season was 105.421b5. It is pointed out in this report that the season under review was one of the best the Dominion had experienced for many years. When one remembers that in Denmark and in some parts of America the average per cow is 3501b5, one must realise the scope there is for improvement in New Zealand in this direction. One way in which this desired end can bo effected, suggested Sir George Elliot, would bo for the Government to import first-class stud bulls, so that dairy farmers of moderate means might hire the animals at a reasonable figure. With an improvement, thus ensured in the strain of herds, it would be reasonable to expect, within a few years, an immense increase in butterfat production. This argument is a sound, commonsense one that will commend itself to dairy farmers, who, time and again, have had demonstrated to them the advantages of improving their dairy herds by the introduction of first-class sires. Sir George suggests that £IOO,OOO be devoted to this proposal, and also suggests that advantage could be taken of farmers’ organisations to carry out the necessary administrative duties of such a scheme. Another valuable suggestion made in the speech referred to is that the Fencing Act be so amended for rabbit-infested areas that an adjoining- owner would be compelled to share the. cost of wire-netting a boundary fence. As the law now stands, any settler desirous of keeping his land free of rabbits is unable to force his neighbour to bear his share of this particular improvement. There are certain parts of the King Country, Upper Waikato, Marlborough aud Central Otago districts infested with rabbits to such an extent that the productive power of these 'lands has been sadly diminished, and if the proposal can be put into effect it, should help considerably te overcome a serious position. We must use every effort to increase our productive powers, and these valuable suggestions are worthy of careful consideration. .