VISITOR FROM JAPAN.

Waikato Times, Volume 102, Issue 17223, 5 October 1927, Page 8

VISITOR FROM JAPAN.

STUDYING OUR FARR 3 METHODS. PROSPECTS OF DAIRY TBADE. Mr K. Taguchi, travelling on behalf of the Japanese Government to studyfarming methods in New Zealand and elsewhere, considers there is little hope for a New Zealand butter trade with Japan, but that increased business may be done in powdered milk.

Mr Taguchi's post in Japan is that of director of the Government sheep farm near Sapporo, the chief town of the cold" northern island of Hokkaido. The Hokkaido is the only part of Japan where grazing is carried on to any considerable extent. Efforts are being made by the Japanese Government to increase the home production of wool and dairy produce. In 1523 Mr Taguchi visited Europe and America on a tour of investigation. Recently he came to Australia, and after a month there he came to New Zealand a fortnight ago, interviewed officials of the Department of Agriculture at Wellington, and visited some of the farming ditsricts of Canterbury and Olago. He then came north, and yesterday looked over the State Farm at Ruakura and interviewed officials of the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company. Interviewed by a Times' representative last evening, Mr Taguchi said lie had been very much impressed with what he had seen of dairying and sheep-farming in this country. He had gained very considerable information, lie had also enjoyed the scenery, which was very similar to thai of mountainous Japan. Questioned as to the prospects of dairying in Japan, Mr Taguchi said lie thought the Hokkaido farms would be able to produce sufficient butter and condensed milk for home consumption. ' Apparently he was looking to the future, as the. latest official Year Book issued by the Japanese Government says that the butter output at present "does not much exceed 10 per cent, of the total consumption."

There was not much hope of any great increase, in the use, of butter in Japan on account of the high price, said the visitor. A tariff of about 5-Jd per pound is'-charged, and the price is from 3s to 3s 6d or more per pound (1.50 to I.SO yen).

However, the use of milk powder, sonic of which was imported from New Zealand, was becoming more popular. He thought New Zealand's trade with Japan in this product might be increased, especially if better shipping facilities were available.