THE DAIRY INDUSTRY

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2480, 5 June 1915, Page 8

THE DAIRY INDUSTRY

EXPANSION OF CHEESE OUTPUT. The report and balance-sheet of the National .Dairy Association, Ltd., to be presented at the annual general meeting of members, to be held at tie Palmerston North 'Winter Show, is ail able and interesting review of the dairy industry during the past season, prepared by the secretary of the association, Mr. J. H. Harkness. According to the balance-sheet the association's funds show a credit of £3282 18s. Bd., an increase of £573 3s. Id. Dealing with the industry the report states that during the year 28 applications for registration of new factories had been made. Of these two were for butter factories and 26 for cheese factories (16 in Otago and Southland). The spring opened full of promise, but the drought seriously curtailed the milk supply, notably in Wairarapa, Hawke's Bay, Waikato, and Auckland; nevertheless the results show an increased export to the United Kingdom of 13.31 per cent, of butter, but cheese showed a. decrease of 4,90 per cent, compared' with last season. The declaration of war Jiad a depressing effect on the industry for a time, but subsequent high prices compensated for this. The requisitioning of insulated steamers for transport purposes inconvenienced exporters. It was fortunate, however, that "a contract was in existence by which dairy produce has been carried up to tho present without any additional fi eight charge. .. . . The outlook 011 the latter date (end of : March) was anything but satisfactory, : and your executive have been unremitting in their endeavours in urging the ; Government, and also the shipping companies, to make all necessary provision for the carriage of dairy produce. . . _ . • Under the circumstances the executive desire to express their appreciation of the consideration and assistance received from members and shippers under exceptional and trying circumstances. The net rosults of the high prices obtained for butter and cheese are somewhat minimised by a, corresponding increase in charges." Consignments will show good returriß to sluppers, and "those factories that have adhered to this policy will have no reason to complain." The season now closed shows a con- ; traction of trade between New Zealand ; and the western ports of Nortli America. London proved a far better market than Vancouver. Heavy decreases in exports to San Francisco and to South African ports are noted. With regard to the "boom" in cheese in London, it is stated that the War Offico takes from six hundred to seven hundred tons ] weekly for the troops. The War Office i might, it is thought, also take up a < butter ration, which would create a new i demand. "Now, as to the future" (the • report concludes), "it is probable that 1 conditions on the Continent will not be- ( come normal before factories will be , considering the disposal of outputs in j ,1915-16. In any forecast of the future the abovo factors should be borne ill '

mind, and there is this further consideration : that whiie the Army keops using cheese there is hound to he an abnormal level of priccs, and it wili bo months after peace is declared before the Army is disbanded or materially reduced in numbers." Exports of butter and cheese for tho year ended March 81 show tho following increases in value:— Butter.. Cheese. £ £ 1895 263,241 160,333 1900 693,701 208,258 1905 1,514,156 180,574 1914 ......... 2,140,019 2,195,278 1915 2,299,473 2,387,828 Since tho report was compiled cheeso has reached 100s. por cwt., a phenomenal prica, and butter is at a very high level.