Toward Prosperity

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 400, 14 July 1928, Page 8

Toward Prosperity

Healthy Outlook for Dairy Producer

A SUBSTANTIAL increase in the price of New Zealand dairy produce on the London market, and the indication that quotations will remain firm for a month or two, lias inspired the dairy producer with enthusiasm and hope. The effects of the late summer drought are fast disappearing, and the season, although about equal to last year in production, will be financially more beneficial to the country.

The buoyant tendency revealed on the Home market during the earlier part of June led many to believe that prices would soar even to greater heights than is reported in yesterday’s cables, but the rise of from 2s to 5s a cwt. on New Zealand butter in England is considered to be intensely gratifying—a similar appreciation of Danish produce notwithstanding. The market has been affected largely by the shortage of supplies from, this country, and, it is reasonable to assume, by the eagerness of large buyers to protect themselves against similar shortages during a possible lean autumn in the Northern Hemisphere. Weather conditions on the Continent, which were expected to be most favourable to dairy production, developed adversely, and arrivals on the Home market from this source were correspondingly small.

The sympathetic rise in quotations due to these factors has acted to the benefit of the New Zealand dairy producer, and, although the late cables received this morning indicate a duller tendency, it is believed that the market will firm again and hold for the next couple of months. Prices have been steady around about 176 s and 178 s on spot.for the past few weeks, and slightly ahead of those commanded by the Danish product. The healthy tone in the buying power of the British people and the brightening of the trade situation there, have had their effect upon the produce markets, the figures now commanded by New Zealand butter being approximately £2O a ton greater than those offered at this time last year. .

Production in this country has been maintained at a normal level, and the grading figures up to the end of last month showed that, in spite of the reverses suffered through the lon drought in the late summer, all leeway had been retrieved, and the quantity of produce passing through the stores is rising steadily. Comparisons in prices, moreover, reveal that the season to date is better financially, with a decidedly healthy outlook. For the future, much will depend upon producing conditions in Australia, If the Commonwealth is graced with an early season, the exports to the London market will affect New Zealand among the Christmas quotations. If, on the other hand, Australia enters the market later than is expected, this country will benefit accordingly. CHEESE ENCOURAGING In the marketing of cheese. New Zealand is in a fortunate position, recent quotations indicating a steady appreciation of values at Home. Since the end of last year—when prices were round about 90s —there has been a strong feeling of buoyancy reflected throughout all sales, and to-day’s rabid giving the value at Ills a cwt., with the prospect of a firm market (equivalent of 101 d f.0.b.) is distinctly encouraging. As in butter, however, the New Zealand cheese producer is dependent—though in a less degree—upon producing conditions overseas. The Canadian output must have its reflex in our returns, and if the season which is now in full swing in our sister Dominion remains at the depressed level of last year, our prices will rise correspondingly. During last season both the New Zealand and the Canadian outputs of cheese were below usual figures. It is anticipated by those who have their fingers upon the market pulse that Canada’s production will hover around last year’s amount, and that prices of New Zealand cheese now being held at Home will remain firm lor the next three or four months tili further arrivals are recorded. HEALTHY FUTURE

The increasing value of our cheese at Home, and the visible tendency for more and more Canadian stocks to be absorbed in the United States, has led to the suggestion among some dairymen that this country should concentrate more upon the manufacture of cheese. Butter, on the other hand appears to be a healthy proposition at the moment, and if the market remains firm, will justify the expectations of those who expressed their faith in its selling power in England. At present the outlook for the producer here appears to be exceedingly bright. The winter has been anything but severe, herds are in good condition, and —thanks largely to heavy-top-dressing with manures secured at a reasonable price—a prolific growth of grass is flooding the countryside with plentiful supplies of fresh green feed. The autumn growth, with its spring-like abundance, was the saviour of the producer, who is now lookingfor that silver lining which, he has been told so often, will be seen as soon as the country turns the corner.

the Red Cap at a nominal fee and with due dispatch—not “snatched." The Red Cap’s services are purely optional on the passengers* part. Any remuneration he may receive for such attention is not a tip, but in the nature of payment for services rendered, or a fee. Many of the travelling public have expressed unsolicited appreciation of the help received from these men, and, on occasions, if this help or advice had been denied them, some arrived at the station late would certainly have missed their train. In any case, sir, why blame the “obsequious” and “grovelling” railway porters and ship’s stewards: So long as the tipping habit is practised, just so long will the “taking” hand be forthcoming, human nature being what it is. CUPPERTEL

NOTHING BUT COURTESY

Sir, — A letter appears in The Sun tonight which I cannot allow to pass unchallenged. The writer asserts that “the whole railway service is riddled with the tipping habit.” As a New Zealander, I resent this as a gross libel on the men involved. I have travelled up and down in sleeping cars several times this year, as well as previously, and have been treated with the utmost courtesy. The bunks have been made up, the early morning call given on one occasion, the morning tea brought to me each time, and no suggestion made of a tip. Besides that, I have seen other ladies have hot water bags filled, and all most pleasantly. As I start my journey in the evening with clean shoes, the need to have them cleaned has not arisen. Your correspondent might try politely thanking the porter, and treating him as a human being; then the money factor would not loom so large between them. NO CYNIC. July 12, 1928.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS

“Mac Bill."—Your letter is too provocative.—Ed., The Sun. R.M.T.—No.