NEW ZEALAND'S DAIRYING.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 472, 8 June 1912, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND'S DAIRYING.

■♦-♦ A RECORD YEAR.

[IIY TI-LKGHAI'M. I'K.KSS ASSOCIATION.] Dunedin, Thursday.

In the course of an address to members of the South Island Dairy Association yesterday the Prime Minister referred to the extension of dairying. During the year 117 new factories had been erected, 20 for cheese and seen for butter. The export, of chi ese for the year ended March .".Ist. was 514,093 cwt., valued at .f 171. 172 over the pevious year. The total amount of butter and cheese exported was BFi(i,SOl c\v(., valued at. .7". S i (1,277. as compared with 7'd.\2'Pi owl., valued at, ,t",iri2,272 :OT the previous year.

The prices ruling (or butter and cheese in the overseas markets this year, said Mr Mackenzie, constituted a record, for New Zealand.. The average, value of New Zealand cheese on the Home market was <!Bs per cwt., and of butter 120s.

The Prime Minister referred to the need for instruction in methods of handling milk. With regard to cow testing, the Department now controlled five associations with 5400 cows under test, and there were at least six other associations controlling over s'oo cows. Kxperimental work at the Wallaeoviiio laboratory had demonstrated the cause of hshiness in butler. Pishiness was apt to develop when cream contained ton high a percentage of acidity and the factories were warned oi the danger of overripening cream. Where advice had been given, it had been carefully followed. The quality of the butter had been quite satisfactory. The question of amending the quarantine regulations 10 allow of the importation of purebred stock-, including dairy cattle, at less expense to the owner was now receiving careful attention. In reply to a question the Prime .Minister said that Mr Clifton had been investigating .as to the most suitable localities (or South Pdand experimental famis, and immediately the report; came io hand they would establish farms. The Prime Minister also said there was a very profitable market for New Zealand butter in Vancouver. During the season the prices realised had been good, and 1207 tons had been shipped there. Reports received spoke in terms of high praise of the quality of the but- | ter.