THE DAIRYING INDUSTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 July 1917, Page 5

THE DAIRYING INDUSTRY.

BIG DEPUTATION TO PREMIER. I MEN MORE NECESSARY THAN . • PRODUCE. • V,y Telegraph—Special Correspondent. Wellington, Last Night. More than 100 representatives of. the New Zealand dairying industry waited upon the Prime Minister (Right Hon. W. F. Massey) this evening to protest against the butter-fat levy and make suggestions on other points. The deputation was headed bv Mr. A. Morton president of the National Dairy Association, and as spokesman he stated their views in detail and at great length. Mr. Massey said lie was not going to discuss the. butter-fat levy. He understood the position very well, from the point of view of the producers and also of the Roard of Trade and the Government. He had his own views, which he would place before Cabinet. He believed lie would be able to place before Cabinet proposals that would improve the position materially. (Applause.) "Don't be in a hurry," said Air. Massey. "You may be disappointed." ißeferred to labor, Mr. Massey said that the claim of the deputation'for an assured minimum supply had not been unreasonable, but he wanted the deputation to realise clearly that New Zealand was at war and had definite engagements to meet. There must be no slackening of effort, no weakening on the part of New Zealand. The reinforcements had to be maintained, no matter what the sacrifice might be. What would it matter about revenue or production if the Empire lost the War? The war musMbe won, and the sacrifices neecssary to that end must be made. He hoped'that the war would end in the not distant future: hut in thl> Itieiln+itno tt» rnmUvn,.™™**

must go forward without a break. New Zealand had to see the war through. That fact must be, remembered in connection with the demands for the exemption of men from military service. The question of saving space, refrigerating space, by the packing of mutton, fold received the attention of the Government. A trial shipment had been. made, and although he had not yet re? wived an official report he understood it had been a success. The producers could rest assured that no chance of increasing the exports would be neglected. Mr. Massey proceeded to say tflat the Imperial authoritifs were doing their best to give effect to the arrangement, or implied arrangement, with the New Zealand producers. He had explained that New Zealand was doing its best to maintain production in the interests of the armies and the people of the United Kingdom, and" he believed that facilities woitld be provided to get the produce away. Perhaps he was optimistic. The shipping controller in England understood the position very well, and Mr. Massey added '"that lie had predicted many months ago that (the iposition would improve in July, and his prediction had been fulfilled. "There wrte''"people," added Mr. Massey. "who said that the New Zealand Ministers bad cone too far in pressing, the Imperial authorities to find ships for the Dominion's produce and in arranging prices for products, but how would it be possible - to carry on New Zealand's share of the war if the ships were not available for the carriage of produce, and if reasonable prices were not paid for the exports?" Money was an essential of war. The Government bad not tried to drive a hard bargain with the Imperial authorities. He had asked simiply for arrangements that

were fair, right and reasonable. Mr. Massey added that the cheese question was very difficult. There had teen lmnglinsr in the early stages of the negotiations for the purchase of New Zealand's output. He and Sir Joseph Ward had conducted the negotiations in the later stages, but when the representatives of the .producers had offered the output at 9d per pound it had "been impossible to get a better price than m, though the price had risen in the meantime. There had been an understanding that the Canadians were not to receive a better price than the New Zealand producers, and lie had heard sines that the Canadians had ibeen paid more than 9Jd. He was making inquiries. He had been authorised to negotiate with the New Zealand .producers • of oheeSe for the output for the coming season, which the Imperial authorities proposed to buy, and the report was •before Cabinet. With regard,to storage accommodation in London. Mr. Massey added that lie. could not say if the Imperial authorities would buy the output of butter. He had made the suggestion, but thought it hardly likely'that the British Government would buv. "You can take it from me," said Mr. Massey, "that the Government understands the importance .of the maintenance of production, and is .prepared to deal with the question."