THE DAIRY INDUSTRY

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 543, 29 May 1933, Page 4

THE DAIRY INDUSTRY

In a few days an election will be held in, one South Island and two North Island wards to fill vacancies on the Dairy Produce Control Board. In one respect at least the time of the election is peculiarly fortunate, since at the moment the dairy industry is at a crucial stage in its history. Within the next few months the Dairy Produce Control Board will have to make important and difficult decisions; and it is essentiai that dairy farmers : should choose their representa- : tives with the utmost care. Further, they should use election ; meetings as opportunities, riot only for acquainting themselves with caiididates and their views, ! but for cliscussing fully and frankly .the problems facing their industry. The immediately 1 important problem. is that raised by the British-*, Gbverriihent's '

suggestion to establish quotas for dairy exports from. the Dominions. Though in paris of the North Island this issue has been discussed with more heat than good sense, it is encouraging to find that in aCnterbury (lairy farmers seem to realise that the British proposal is at least worth careful thought. It must be emphasised, however, that the quota issue is not the only, nor perhaps even the most important issue before the dairy industry. Whether. the quota scheme is accepted or rejected, it is clear that a cjetermined «ffort piust be made to raise the qualiiy of New Zealand dairy produce, to find fresh markets, and to improve marketing methods. The glut on the British market has so intensified competition that New Zealand producers will inevitably pay heavily for jack of enterprise aiid efficiency.. The recently gazetted regulations dealing with milkgrading and . the supplyirig of factories show that, the Government thinks the organisation of the indiistfy is capabie of im- , provement ; and anyohe who has rea'd the pamphlet by -Dr. Marsden and Professor Riddet pub^ lished a few days ago will be of the * same opinion. But regulations are at best a poor. substibute for iniative and alertness 9n the part of those engaged in the industry.