The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 1914. NATIONAL DAIRY ASSOCIATION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 37, 5 June 1914, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 1914. NATIONAL DAIRY ASSOCIATION.

The annual report of the National Dairy Association of New Zealand, which is just to hand, is an interesting document. It gives as an indication that the future of the dairy industry, so far as New Zealand is concerned, is assured, the fact that during the past year no less than thirty-two new factories were registered with the Association. That the trend is still towards the manufacture of cheese is indicated in that no less than twenty-seven of those new factories registered were for cheese, as against five for butter. Taking district for district, the largest'number of new factories is in Taranaki, one for butter and eight for cheese. The report goes on to point out that a retrospect of tiie past dairying season would bo incomplete without reference to the remarkable spring and summer experienced throughout New Zealand. The early spring and continuous genial weather up to the end of December was responsible for an exuberant growth of grass. Naturally the lack of sufficient sunshine during this period produced a pasture wanting in body and substance. From such condition# an abnormal flow of milk was obtained producing a rather lower average test as compared with previous years. When early in 1814 climatic conditions changed, the pastures wore quickly affected because of the circumstances under which they had matured. Consequently the milk supply rapidly decreased and though the autumn has in some respects boon favorable, the season has not fulfilled the expectations of its commencement. Notwithstanding the difficulties abovementioned, and the high values ruling for stock and wool, the industry throughout the Dominion is, the report continues, making

steady pi'ogress. This feature of development tends greatly to insure permanency. So long as our available exports in conjunction with other exporting countries do not materially exceed the requirements of the world’s demands such expansion will enable producers to follow this system of agriculture successfully, with the certainty of being able to meet all their financial arrangements, and at the same time will not unduly assist to depress the values now ruling. It is further shown that the butter exported to all countries for the year has increased by 9.450 per cent, and cheese by 12.127 per cent. London and west coast ports of the United Kingdom shipments also have risen. Butter is 5.556 per cent, in excess of the previous year, and cheese 12.127 per cent. It is rather singular to note that while nearly all the North Island ports show increases in cheese, the aggregate quantity from the South Island ports is not equal to that of last year, and evidently the industry is taking a firmer hold of the northern portion of the Dominion. The report goes on to say that it is gratifying to know that the standard of quality is generally being maintained, though such a fact does not carry with it a guarantee of perfection. Complaints during the past season have been less than formerly, but to withstand the keen competition of margarine our only hope in obtaining high values is to export only a superfine article.