THE DAIRYING INDUSTRY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1394, 21 March 1912, Page 10

THE DAIRYING INDUSTRY.

ITS REMARKABLE GROWTH NOTED. In the annual report of the Chamber of Commerco the following reference is mado to the dairying industry:— "In a. review of the dairying industry of New Zealand for the last year, it is perhaps as well to nolo why it has attained to its present importance and value to the Dominion. It is acknowledged by thoso who havo carefully studied the progress of agriculture that during the last half-century, not only in this country but in others, the most prominent feature in its history is the great change that has taken place in tho methods and processes of the manufacture of products from milk. "It is only necessary to point out that tho development of the industry in New Zealand within tho Inst fifteen years has been a marked factor in tho Dominion's prosperity. In tho near future it will attain still greater importance. A comparison of the figures contained in tho chamber's report for the year ended 1910-1911 with those of thirteen years ago may bo instructive. The figures are taken from the chamber's annual reports, and are sufficiently accurate for all purposes:— - , Butter. Cheese. Total Cwts. Cwts. Values. 1898-9 116,-172 61,881 .£601,793 1910-11 323,999 -109,190 ,£2,72G,090 "Quantity is tho surer test of progress, as values may fluctuate from year to year. During the. above-mentioned period the export of butter has increased by 280 per c.vt. This may not be regarded as de'noting extraordinary development. It is, however, when the cheese n exports are analysed that evidence is forthcoming ot its value to the Dominion. The cheese export is equal to 660 per cent, increase. When in -thirteen years a department of agriculture develops in value to tho community from ,£604,793 in 1898-9 to JC2, in 1910-U, it is possible to estimate its significance. Thcrr; is no reason ,whv, iu 1921, this chamber may not look ,back and record a corresponding growth. "Evidently tho trend of the industry is in-the direction of clieeso production. The reason is obvious. The only country that may be regarded as a serious competitor to-day in tho market of the Lnited Kingdom iti tho export of cheddur cheese is Canada,.' Possessing as New Zealand does an ideaf climate'for cheese-making of a high standard, it only requires tho delivery of tjio raw material to tho factory in perfect i condition and- (lie careful selection of \jlairy herds to turn out not only the quality' but. the quantity. "For the season 1910-11 prices were fairly good throughout, and when consideration is ?iven io "the fact that the Commonwealth of Australia increased its output of butter by 50 per cent., it is a matter of congratulation that values maintained the high level they_ did. "Owing to the cold rough weather, the milk supplv was interfered with to such an extent that the shortage on the ex-, port trade up to the end of December, 1911, was considerable. Better climatic conditions have existed so far in 1912, and it is anticipated that the autumn will probably mnko good the deficiency. London prices have never been better. These havo remained steady throughout tho season at from 130s. to 130s. for butter, and from 695. to 71s. for cheese."