GOAT-RAISING.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5503, 20 November 1929, Page 1

GOAT-RAISING.

CHEESE, SKINS, AND HAIR. SUPPORT FROM EX-SOLDIERS. In the Hauraki Plains Gazette of February 1/ 1929, there appeared a leader advocating the use of goats in controlling blackberry. It was suggested that the more general use of goats had, no doubt, not been put into practice to a greater extent on account of their being regarded as non -productive and of no use except for the one set purpose, and bringing no visible monetary return to the owner beyond clearing his land. Further, it was pointed out that in many countries abroad goat herds were milked regularly and most delicious cheese produced. In Great Britain as well as on the Continent, French and Swiss Gruyere cheese, made entirely from goats’ milk, was an acknowledged favourite with an enormous sale. The leader asked why could not the New Zealand herds be milked and the British Isles supplied with New Zealand Gruyere chese—Empire cheese ? The market was there, why not capture it? Goats’ milk was used abroad for. household purposes, and medically goats’ milk was favoured for certain uses. Clippings of Angora goats had a ready sale. There appeared to be no reason why New Zealanders could not turn their goat herds into moneymakers. Their feeding expenses were nil—blackberry bushes supplied all their wants—they needed no special attention, so that all they produced commercially would be absolute profit. A copy of the leader in question was sent to Dr. J. Lyons, Director of the Live Stock Division of the Department of Agriculture, who replied on February .12 that the department and its officers had always kept this method of blackberry control steadily in view and had been fully alive to the advantages derived by it in many instances. On the question of goats being used for utility purposes in the Dominion Dr. Lyons stated that he did not think the farmers in New Zealand had yet .reached the stage where they were looking to this class of work as a source of profit. Further, seeing that our dairy owners were not able to procure sufficient labour to get the cow population of the country milked by hand, it would not be reasonable to suppose that they could do so for goats. He considered that on account of the high cost of labour it would be found that all the profits would go in wages. With reference to the production of mohair from Angora goats, Dr. Lyons said this had been tried in New Zealand but so far had proved a failure. Returned Soldiers Interested. For some time the matter lapsed, but apparently at least .a section of the public was keenly interested on the subject, for at the Returned Soldiers’ .Rehabilitation Commission sitting at Auckland last week Mr A, H. Nugent suggested goat-raising as a prospective industry for disabled soldiers. Mr Nugent produced samples of cheese made from goats’ milk, and which was? retailed in Auckland shops. This industry had grown to considerable dimensions in some countries, said Mr Nugent, and the dieese, which was got up in attractive packages, was a very tasty article of diet. He also thought that if goat-raising was established in New Zealand the milk would also be used by medical men for babies’ food in preference to cows’ milk.

The point was emphasised that land not suitable for farming purposes could be used for goat-raising, thus bringing in otherwise unproductive land. It was further suggested that an effort could be made to create a demand for goats’ flesh. The witness said that goats’ meat was decidedly edible, and that young goat was more delicious than lamb. The meat Could also be exported to countries such as India and the Near Earstern countries, where the meat is eaten with relish. The hides could be prepared and tanned locally, whereas at present all the kid used in the country was imported. He considered that fancy leathers could be produced and could find a market in the making; of women’s shoes, handbags, and chair coverings, etc. Probably use could also be made of the goat hail’ in the making of mats. The chairman, Mr J. S. Barton, S.M., said the suggestion had been made to the commission before. The commission, he said, would take an early opportunity of sampling the cheese. Particulars as to the quantities of cheese imported would be obtained from the Customs Department.