The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, JUNE 28, 1930. DAIRYING INDUSTRY.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 June 1930, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, JUNE 28, 1930. DAIRYING INDUSTRY.

The; annual meeting of the National Dairy Associatfcui ait Hamilton this week VyUiS attended by bOO delegates, over vvlioni Mr A, Morton (ITesjufenl) presided. The President, gave a very interesting address, stressing various points affecting the welfare of the industry. Reviewing the season, Mr Morton referred io the phenomenal growth of top-dressing, The increase of dairy production in tjie past decade had been remarkable, In the 1919-20 season the production for the Dominion amounted to 1117,000,0001 b. of butterfat; in 1928-29 the output was 282,000,00011). butter-fiit—more tli a u double in ten years, Since then there had been an increase of between II and 12 per cent, on the prod net ion of tlie previous year and the total production would reach .‘300,000,0901b, About twenty years ago, added Mr Morton, lie told that conference at Palmerston North that in 10 years production would be doubled, In that time it had been quadrupled, If that had been done without full use being made of laird-testing and manures, what had the future to hold? u | feel sure,” “that we can again double production within a period of years, which I may not live to see,” To show the great growth of the use

of manures in different parts of New Zealand Mr Morton qu.dte.d vnirioms ligfuiw. It wins alfso interesting b> note he said the great advance made regarding the importation of manures during the past few years. The following were the importations: —1919, 7(1,9d0 tons; 1927, 2-19,('<)•:> tons; 1928, .'310,000 tons; last year 8(32,000 tons. Referring to herd-testing. Mr Morton said it was significant that since its introdu< f ion Ibe average, production per cow had risen from 1001 b of butter tat to 21olb, a highly creditable result

when flic number of cows undergoing test was considered. Speaking of the matter of increased production as a compensating lactoi against lower prices, Mr Morton .said some held that to produce more lor a maiket that was already glutted would lie folly. He thought it good advice to ask the dairy producers to increase their individual production per cow per acre. Ii they could do that they would lessen the cost of production. T hat was tne tiling all hail to: strive for. Increasing the individual production per cow per acre would to some extent compensate them for the lower prices they must expect in the future. Dealing with the quality of the Dominion’s butte*', the speaker said that- this had been well maintained and he thought its reputation on the Home market was better than five years ago. This was due to tne use of fewer neutralising ma-.erials resulting in j\ I uller flavour. Unfortunately the position with regard to the quality of New Zealand cheese was not so favouriiole. During tne past year only 24 per cent, of New Zealand’s cheese had oeen graded finest, while 74 per cent. Has been first grade and 2 per cent, under lust. The prohibitive tariff on usury nuuhinery was commented oil by Mr .Morton, who said he regretted to say that at the present time the tariff on dairy machinery was being looked upon by the Government more in tne ligut of a revenue-producing agency than as an '-assistance to local industry. Oil some machinery imported as .much as £lO jJ impost was placed. It seemed uoavuueiy unlair that the industry siiould be penalised by having to pay this excessively heavy duty, Svume imported stock foods were also unobtainable owing to the prohibitive tariff, With the dairy industry in the position it was to nay, with -a great lowering oi prices, and with the pros- . pects of a rise not very bright for some yen is to tome, dairy men were forced to turn their attention to byproducts. But lime again they were confronted with an impossible position with regard to slock foods, which prevented tnem. from making pigs a payable side line. The position was iniquitous. While the production ligures cause us every satisfaction, when we come to marketing there is a dit- - lerent tale to tell,” said Mr Morton. The results this season have . been very disappointing. There has been a. very considerable world-wide depression affecting aJI lines of trade, and we have been drawn irresistiby into the depression and are suffering from its effects.” It was only natural to suppose that the New Zealand dairy farmers would have to accept a lower range of prices for. their produce though it was. never thought that they would reach the level they had got to within the last two months. During the last week or two there had been a- gradual r rise, which, was more hopeful, 'but they had definitely to look forward to a lower range of prices for both cheese and butter, particularly butter, than those they had enjoyed during the past few years. They must accept the fact cant the market had dropped 2d to 3d per lb., and would have to base their calculations in the future on a price amounting to Is 3d or Is 4d, Every time the Arbitration Court sits t(i frame a new dairy workers’ award, it grants additional concessions to the workers without considering whether or not the industry is able to stand it,” said Mr Morton, There was, lie added, never a corresponding concession to the employers. That kind of thing had been going on for a considerable time, nnd had every appearance of continuing. The question arose whether the primary industries should not be eliminated' from the Arbitration Act altogether.