DOWNWARD DRIFT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 258, 1 November 1939, Page 11

DOWNWARD DRIFT

DAIRY PRODI ( Tl<)\ FEWER COWS IN MILK Considering the position generally, lit is going to be diificult lo divert ! the downward drift, says the annual 'report of the New Zealand Daily I Board in its reference lo dairy production. There is a falling-off in thn ♦..’mber of cows being milked, while ■there has not been the improved production per cow which is an absolute I necessity if the industry is to show a I healthy development. | ’The diliicuity in securing labour • and Ihe high cost entailed arc unidoubted factors,” continues the report. I “Dairying is losing its popularity as one of Ihe essential industries of the Dominion. The higher wages and shorter hours, with the consequent greater leisure, in other avenues of employment, mean that not only is labour difficult to procure, but that I dairy farmers themselves are being led to consider seriously turning their atItention to other classes of farming. Decrease in Butter "In the falling off in production during the season just closed (1938-39) | butler has decreased by a much greater percentage than cheese. The ' nisastrous market for casein has in- . creased the number of units which 1 have been engaged in cheese productions, which has been at least partly | responsible for the result. There ate ! not wanted signs, however, that under ! present conditions the cheese output I will decrease considerably in the • future. Higher wages, shorter hours, land overtime payments are affecting 1 the cost of manufacture of cheese [much more seriously than is the case I with butter. This is evidenced by the l increased allowance for manufacturing costs from year to year in the formula for the fixation of the guaranteed price.”