THE DAIRYING INDUSTRY.

Nelson Evening Mail, 16 September 1916, Page 4

THE DAIRYING INDUSTRY.

WHILST dairying does not occupy a leading place in the agricultural pursuits of the Nelson district, it is at the game time of considerable importance, especially to certain localities such as the Bay districts and Murchison. According to the report of the Department of Agriculture, the past year was one of the most profitable ever experienced by the majority of dairy farmers in the Dominion, notwithstanding certain disadvantages brought about by the war. The prices secured for New Zealand butter and cheese reached the highest average since the industry was started, representing an advance of 29 per cent in the price of butter and an advance of 39 per cent for cheese as compared, with the previous season. These results were obtained notwithstanding decided' decreases in the quantity of butter exported. An increased export of cheese was associated with higher -values, providing an increased return of nearly £900,000. The total increase in value of the export of dairy produce amounted to £1,336,685. These increases were almost entirely due to the prevalence of war conI ditions. Unfortunately the Director of the Dairy Division has had to call attention to the gradual deterioration, in the quality of butter and cheese manufactured in the Dominion. Mr Cuddie I declares that New Zealand is in serious danger of losing her reputation, gained |as the result of many careful years' work, for the manufacture of the best creamery butter. The deterioration is said to be largely due to the system of "home separation." Mr Cuddie "writes: ! "The one great weakness in the dairy industry of New Zealand is and always has been the improper treatment' which the milk receives at the hands of a number of the producers, and since the beginning of the home-separator sy-stem the same can be said in regard to cream. The introduction of milking-machines, which are yearly increasing in number, has made this difficulty more acute. To put the matter briefly, the lack of cleanliness in the dairy premises, and dairy utensils and appliances on the farm is the direct cause of much inferior cheese and butter being made. This hindrance has now 'become not only a serious bar to progress but ut real menace to the welfare of factory dairying in the Dominion." Mr Cuddie's remarks refer of course to the Dominion as a whole. The dairying companies of this district have secured good results in the markets to which the produce has been sent, and care is exercised in the manufacture of butter and cheese. Stlil the remarks of the director of the Dairying Division should receive the careful attention of all interested in the industry. It is of vital importance to the Dominion as a whole that our primary industries should flourish ,but the time has arrived for the exercise of

greater care in securing sufficient supplies for local markets at reasonable prices.