THE DAIRY INDUSTY.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 232, 5 December 1916, Page 1

THE DAIRY INDUSTY.

Mr W. Goodfellow Inter-

viewed.

(From the Waikato Times, Monday,

November 27th, 1916.)

When seen by a aikato Times representative in connection with the present position of the dairy industry, particularly as regards cheese, Mr W. Goodfellow, managing director of the Waikato Co-operative Dairy Company, said: I wish to take this opportunity of publicly correcting a few of the many absurd and most unjust statements that have appeared in the press. I maintain that it is unwise to publish extreme statements calculated to create undue anxiety among the farmipg community, and thereby restrict trading. Such statements for instance as " we are told on reliable authority that the stores at the ports are filled with cheese awaiting shipment, but no shipping is available, etc„ etcare quite incorrect. As a matter of fact there is practically no cheese or butter in cold stores in the Auckland province, and no undue delay has yet been experienced. The Shipping outlet may be uncertain, but Mr Massey distinctly told the producers at the cheese conference in September that he anticipated no serious delay, and further if anything, the position might be expected to improve during the 191617 season. The thippiDg season since 1914 has always been more or less uncertain, and may bo slightly better or worse as time goes on. The country is and has been during the war —entirely in the hands of the Overseas Shipping Committee, and it is unthinkable that any section of the community will be neglected, especially when it is recognised that the total butter and cheese to export is only 50,000 tons during the whole year. Further, the British public want the goods urgently, butter being exceedingly scarce and cheese in great demand. Even at present prices it is generally recognised that cheese is the cheapest sustaining food on the British market to-day. When the representatives of the cheese producers of the Dominion met the Government in Wellington two months ago to discuss the Imperial offer, the unanimous desire was expressed "that only a fair and reasonable price should be asked and on no account should the factories hang out for cuirent market values." At that time choose was worth 9d f.o.b, with every prospect of averaging lOd f.o.b. for the ensuing season. Nevertheless cheese was offered to the Imperial authorities at BJd, and Bid would have been accepted, although the previous season the average price was 9id net f.o.b. The Imperial people only offered 8d f.0.b., and as no further information was forthcoming it was naturally thought that requirements had been fulfilled elsewhere. For it must be remembered that after circulating a report that the cheese ration was to be cut out, the Imperial agents in Canada bought very heavily at low prices. The recent order to give_ meat priority of shipment is possibly, therefore, part of a plan laid by the Imperial Purchase Board for the purpose of getting the New Zealand companies to put a bedrock piice on their produce. Undoubtedly the London people made a mistake in not closing on our Now Zealand September offer, which was a very reasonable one, as subsequent developments have proved. Values have increased beyond expectation, and cheese for export to-day is worth at least 10£ d net f.o.b. for the coming season. Nevertheless the South Auckland Dairy Association (displaying the same unselfish spirit that has characterised one and all of the cheese producers' meetings when dealing with this question) lecided to recommend the National Dairy Association to offer the Imperial authorities half the New Zealand output at 9ld, or the whole at lOd. The wool people are to get approximately lust season's prices, and the meat people are receiving an increase on last year's payments. Now, is it fair that the cheese producers should be expected to take

lid per lb les.; than lust year's net export price, or on a butterfat basis equal to Id'per lb, or roughly £4 per cow les.?. The farmer in Great Britain is obtaining Is 2d for his cheese. Is it fair and equitable that the New Zealand farmer should be asked to take 8d? In conclusion, let me say that the dairy industry in New Zealand is excellently organised, and its business may safely_ be left in the hands of its responsible oliicers. The public generally may rest assured that the dairy farmers aro playing the game fair and square with the Imperial authorities. L a ter.—Since the above was written, the Imperial authorities have commandeered all the cheese afloat and to be exported this season There may be delays in exporting our butter, but it is hardly likely the position will be really serious The province has now enormous cold storage capacity, and slight delays will not therefore affect the dairy supplier. Prices in London are extreme, and everything points to further record prices.