THE DAIRY INDUSTRY

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2785, 1 June 1916, Page 9

THE DAIRY INDUSTRY

ASSOCIATION'S REPORT REMARKABLE ADVANCES IN PRICES The annual ioport of the National Dairy Association for tho year ended March 31 last is an exhaustive review of tho dairy produce export season for 1015-lli. It clearly shows now largely the dairy industry jius tnc great wealth of the country considering its small population comx>ared with its geographical dimensions. Taking tho population at a million, and tho value ot the exports of butter and cheeso at ,£5,798,000 (as they were), the wealth sent out of the country in the form of butter and cheese amounts tu over X's 17s. 6(1. per head for every man, woman, and child. Almost all- of that wealth has gone to one market—the United Kingdom. During tho year 58 new cheeso factories and threo new butter factories were registered. The outstanding features of the year were three, viz., the unusual conditions of tho season.itself compared with previous years; tho • unprecedented circumstances under which tho work was begun, continued, and practically completed; nnd the abnormal results attained, notwithstanding tho difficulties to bo overcome. The season began early, and had been remarkable throughout, tho rainfall to the end of 1915 being amplo for the promotion, of growth. Feed was abundant, but through insufficient sunshine was lacking in body. Milk was received in excess quantities as compared with previous years, and tho maximum was reached earlier than -usual. Favourable climatic conditions wero maintained until tho beginning of 1910. Parts of tho.Manawatu and North Taranaki, also the Wairarapa, suffered from withered pastures, and a consequent 4iininished milk supply; but the year has been on tho whole favourable to the dairying and pastoral industries, except in ccrtain parts of the South Island. Shipping Facilities Unsatisfactory. With regard to shipping, tho report states that "it has been unsatisfactory, owing primarily to the shortage of tonnage and the irregularity of departures." Whilst it is admitted that the N.Z. Overseas Shipowners' Committee has done its best with tho shipping at its disposal, "it is evident that tho require-, ments of tho trade, both inward and outward, demand an increased number of steamers. It is obvious that as the 'volume' of the Dominion's production yearly develops, it becomes necessary that tho facilities for ocean transport should bo proportionately increased. Unfortunately for all concerned, , this is not tho prospect at present in view." Tho difficulties arising out of' the world-short-ago of ships is recognised, but dairy producers are warned to be prepared against tho inconvenience and delay . attendant on exports of butter and cheese. "It is, however, a matter for congratulation that trado has been well maintained, and tho quantity. shipped so large"— taking into consideration tho exceptional circumstances attendant on shipping generally. Commandeered Cheeso. Reference is inado to the requisition-, •ing by the Government of a certain portion of the cheeso produced in the Dominion at a fixed price of 7Jd. por pound. "The important point of this compulsory sale is (tho report continues) that cheeso having advanced in value as l)c----tween September 9 (when it was decided at the llawera Conference to sell at 7d.) and October 81, the limit of 7Jd. was given, when, considering tho power vest•cd'.iu the National Government, they might have taken the cheese at the original price of 7d. fixed in .September, or at any, value betweon that so fixed ana tho limit given." ~ ' . In referring to the quality of' tho butter and clieeso produced, the report slates, that, "tho quality of the butter exported has hardly 'rebelled the ■ same standard as previous years." As for tho cheese, "there Ims been., during the past season, no general improvement in quality as compared with previous years.?' With regard to the phenomenal prices realised for both butter and .cheese, it is pointed out. that tho position is to bo accounted for as follows"Germany was« a buyer of large quantities of Danish, tho embargo placed on French butter, the .diminished supplies from Siberia owing to transport difficulties, and the decline in exports from the Commonwealth as a resultf of drought, wero all contributing factors in creating an abnormal market. When it is considered that the total quantity imported, to tho United Kingdom for the twelve months ending April 30, 1916, is -13,000 tons less than for the corresponding period of . last year, butter values are understandable. Whilst during the past three years butter lias advanced in value 15 per cent., checse 80 per cent., and a solution of this problem presents an entirely opposite set of conditions." New Zealand's Best. Customer. _ 41 least 95 per cent, of the total .quantity of exports of butter and clieeso find their way to the . United Kingdom. ' In the statistical tables accompanying the report it is shown that exports to Canada for 1915-10 have shrunk to''Blls boxes of. butter, that San Francisco, which • took 87,674 boxes in 1313-14 aiid 725 boxes only in tho following year, took nono in the year under review; and ■ that South Africa, a former good customer, took, only- 200 boxes. Australia, however, was a big buyer in the 1915-1G season, when 52,599 ,boxes were sent to that market; but this trade was exceptional, and is not likely to recur if seasons there are normal. Cheeso is tho most paying proposition, and . practically all of this goes to the United Kingdom. Moreover, it pays the farmer, on present prices, infinitely .better to turn his milk into cheese than into butter. Canada is a big competitor with New _ Zealand in this traoe; but over a period of years it is shown thai while the imports of Canadian cheese by Britain are descending, those of New Zealand are increasing, although they are rather less this year than last. The United States, too, this year has greatly increased its. contribution of cheeso to Great Britain.