THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. MONDAY, APRIL 5, 1909 DAIRYING.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 145, 5 April 1909, Page 2

THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. MONDAY, APRIL 5, 1909 DAIRYING.

THE growing desire of the settlers in various localities throughout the district to establish the dairying industry is the natural manifestation of the progressive spirit which has been responsible for so much in the farming history of the Dominion. The real progress of farming in New Zealand began with the rise of the dairying industry, and with conditions admirably adapted to this branch of farming, the industry has thriven so much, that, within a period of a very few years, it has practically revolutionised the farmers' existence. Naturally such an important industry has exercised a wonderful effect on the prosperity of the country at large, and the authorities have been well advised in endeavouring to place New Zealand made butter upon the highest possible plane. By placing our butter on the London market, we are entering into competition with the world, and only by exercising the utmost care, and adopting the most modern methods can we hope to reach the standard attained by European competitors for the Home markets. Situated as it is many thousands of miles from the great market, New Zealand is at a great initial disadvantage in competing with suppliers such as Denmark or Siberia. In addition, the industry in the older countries has the benefit of being established under thoroughly settled conditions, and with a very complete commercial organisation. It should therefore be apparent to the most elementary thinker that in order to retain the position it has achieved New Zealand must safeguard its product in every possible manner. In issuing drastic regulations in connection with the dairying indu tfry the Government has been accused of harassing the farmer, and of unnecessarily interfering with his activities. A little thought should be sufficient to dispel any such illusion. The body politic is just as much interested as the individual in promoting the Interests o- the dairyman, and in extending the industry throughout the Dominion. Butter is fast becoming the staple export of New Zealand. It has a perennially buoyant market, subject to no such serious fluctuations as wool, which assures to the country an enormous and growing annual income. The dairyman in general has shown himself to be a man of enterprise who can be depended upon to work on progressive lines. In every form of life, however, are to be found the drones, the indifferent, and the unintelligent, and the co-operative system upon which dairying is worked offers a channel by which these undesirables may profit at the expense of their more enterprising neighbours. Laws and regulations are intended to safeguard the desirable i members of any community, an-1 all things considered it will be found that the dairy regulations will accomplish the same end. Like all broad schemes, however, the regulations may easily be interpreted in such a manner as to become an infliction, and to cramp a growing industry unduly. In settled districts, with good roads and generally established conditions, the regulations may be carried out without seriously affecting the suppliers.' In new districts, such as the King Country, where settlers have to contend with a mud ejege for half the year, and milking season is thp only time when roads are open for trattie mvj carrying out of the regulations to the letter is next to an impossibility. It will be readily aasn that a liberal interpretation of the regulation >n such • district is necessary in the best inui- ■ tests of the industry. The authorities are interested in providing that the j standard of the tna»uf*ctiired article j

shall be maintainor!. Thc-y are equally interested in 1 rovidiri; for the 57 read and progr<"-":- '•< the :r.du-iry r.ev; di s l rif:ts. Wo hr-.v. f-vtr; r.d-.-r.ce that the reed- of th'-- i ac-:i,:o'o: "airyman v.-ill be cot;sidereel ?yrr,j,athotieai!y and that reasonable c-ifort 10 attain the standard will be commended and assessed according to surrounding conditions, and that nothing in the regulations will be used to inflict hardship on our settlers, or retard the growth of the industry.