THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 May 1921, Page 4

THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

“SAVING NEW ZEALAND.” MILLIONS FOR PRODUCE. Speaking at the conference of Taranaki farmers at Eltham yesterday, Mr. O. Hawken, M.P., said it was quite apparent that the country was not in for such good times, and they were not yet over their difficulties. As far as Taranaki was concerned it was not feeling the bad times in proportion to the rest of the Dominion, and he wished to state that the dairy industry was saving New Zealand at the present time. Mr. Hawken said that last year the exports of dairy produce totalled £9,000,000, and this year they had increased to the amazing amount of £16,000,000. The dairy industry had now reached the stage of being the premier industry of the Dominion. Wool and meat had come through very hard times, particularly wool, and although there now appeared to be rather a better feeling in the wool market the difficulties were by no means over. At the last sales there was an increase in the price of wool, but when that commodity was down to about 3d a lb an increase of 20 per cent, was not very much. The position in New Zealand to-day was not at all a good one. He persozially believed the worst was over, but the financial heads seemed to thfok it Would be some time before the, country would turn Mie corner. Therefore it the dairy people to be very careful nntt not think the position was better than it was. After referring to the problems with which the country was faced at the present time, Mr. Hawken added that he would be very pleased to make any representations to the Government on their behalf which the conferenosMiesired.