THE CHEESE INDUSTRY.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 143, 9 February 1916, Page 4

THE CHEESE INDUSTRY.

Imperial Government's Purchases. Speaking at the recent opening of the Aka Aka Cheese factory, Mr D watban, of Wtllington, as reported in the "Pukekohe Times," roads complaint as to the action of the Government in commandeeiiiig a portion of the cheese output of the Dominion, lie declared that the taking at 7jd oi an article that ia to-day worth Ikl involved a special taxation of a particular section of the farming community. Whilßt in Auckland last Saturday, the Prime Minister, Mr Massey, rilerred lo Mr Nathan's statements. tie explained that about the commencement ol tLe dairy, g tcaßon the Imperial Government made inquiries with a view to obtaining a supply of cheese irom New Zealand. Meetings of representative chteseniakeis were hi Id at Hawera and Invercargill, and resolutions were passed to the effect that they were in favour of the Imperial Government requistiouing one-fourth of the total output of cheese in the Domini n at 7d per lb. Some weeks afterwares, the Imperial Government instructed the Dominion Government to requisition approximately one-third of tte total output which would be 15,U00 tons at 7}d per ID. With one exception, all the cheese factories have willingly accepted ihe new arrangement, and the price offered, ttven in the exceptional case, it car. hardly be said that the company concerned objected to the plan. "J he effect of tha Govermeot's entrance into the market in this way," Baid Mr Massey, "was that the price of cheese went up with a bound, and cheese is to-day worth considerably more than 71d per lb, the pi ice which is being paid for th. supply of Imperial lequirernenis. The co»t of the Imperial order will be abJUt £1,00,000, and, speaking generally, 1 can say that it has had a very good effect on the industry. Not only is the puce of cheese higher to-day than it has ever be.n, but it is worth recalling that before the arrangement was made nearly the whole output ol the c'outb Island had been sold at abiut 7d per lb. By the action of tae Irnpeiial Government, it has been made certain that shipment for tbi3 very valuable product will be secured without difficulty. Otherwiee, owing to the scarcity ot shipping, there might have been somewhat serious delay." During the period from November 4th, the inception of the tcheme, to February 3rd, the Government had purchased 5014 lons, the payments amounting to £338,108, on behalf of the Imperial Government.