H.—29

20

Production and Exports. The figures indicating the quantities of butter and oheese graded credit butter with an increase of 92 per cent., and cheese with an increase of 1 per cent over those of the previous year. The figures representing the exports do not altogether harmonize with these. The increase in butter and the decrease in cheese as shown by the export figures have each been to some extent affected by the overlapping of seasons so far as shipments are concerned. The grading figures are therefore a more satisfactory criterion for appraising the general position, although in the case of butter even these have to some extent appreciated, owing to the previous season's butter being used for local consumption last spring to a greater degree than usual. Not since 1917 had our butter-production shown an increase. For many years the comparative prices had been in favour of cheese ; thus development was principally in that direction. As will be shown hereafter, circumstances this season were in favour of the production of butter, and the accompanying figures indicate how successful has been the effort of the Dominion's dairy-farmers toward increasing production. Export Statistics. The following tables indicate the exports of butter and oheese, in accordance with the various classes, grades, and destinations, for the year ended 31st March, 1921. The quantities graded appear in the last table. For purposes of computation, a box of butter has been taken as weighing 56 lb. and a crate of cheese as weighing 160 lb.

Creamery Butter to United Kingdom.

Whey Butter to United Kingdom.

Dairy Butter to United Kingdom.

Port. Total Packages. First Grade. Second Grade, j Third Grade. oickland lisbornc lew Plymouth 'atea Wanganui Wellington lyttelton )unedin Huff.. 514,656 9,903 112,988 32,481 35,826 177,587 62,083 36,505 6,524 472,719 9,903 112,187 26,510 25,405 172,668 59,277 32,041 6,524 41,885 801 5,971 10,421 4,919 2,806 4,464 52 Totals .. 917,234 71,267 52 988,553

Port. Total Packages. First Grade. Second Grade. Third Grade. Auckland New Plymouth Patea Wanganui Wellington Lyttelton Dunedin ■ .. Bluff.. 9,207 9,431 12,278 1,567 11,673 578 1,976 676 122 6,896 9,681 108 10,161 393 1,860 671 9,085 2,535 2,597 1,459 1,512 185 116 5 Totals .. 47,386 29,892 17,494

Port. Total Packages. Pirst Grade. Second Grade. Third Grade. lew Plymouth 'atea Totals .. 135 9 144 50 9 85 144 5!) 85