DAIRY PRODUCTION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 June 1938, Page 7

DAIRY PRODUCTION

THE OUTLOOK IN EXPORT TRADE COMMENT ON CONFERENCE IN AUSTRALIA. NO BENEFIT TO NEW ZEALAND. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) NEW PLYMOUTH, June 23. The opinion that no benefit to New Zealand would arise out of the decisions of the recent Empire producers’ conference in Sydney was expressed by Mr A. Morton, chairman, at the national dairy'conference. He did not think it had done anything to save New Zealand from the danger of having restrictions placed on exports to the British market. The most important question to New Zealand at the conference, said Mr Morton, was that of restriction. The farmers of Great Britain had been insistent in their demand for restriction of imports for years, as they claimed that an uncontrolled flow of produce imports was endangering the position of the British farmer. Of course, he hoped the results of the conference would benefit New Zealand, but he had grave doubts. The British farmer was still after restriction and the right to be first in his own market. The farmers of Britain wanted restrictions on all countries within the Empire and to an even greater extent on those outside the Empire. “New Zealand has never gained any benefit in endeavouring to work with Australia in connection with the marketing of products overseas,’ said Mr Morton. “The conference was an Australian move, and, although the decisions may be good for Australia, I do not think they will be so good for New Zealand.” Referring to' the past season, Mr Morton said there had been a slight fall in dairy production generally throughout New Zealand. This was due largely to climatic conditions, as, on the whole, the season had been far from good. Taranaki had a wonderful season, Manawatu and the Wairarapa did not fare badly, and the Waikato s experience had been “in and out. The extreme south of New Zealand, however, suffered greatly from prolonged dry weather. Labour problems made it difficult to conduct farms and this, in conjunction with high costs, meant smaller herds and in some cases complete turning over to some other branch of farming. In view of this, it was satisfactory that the decreased production of buttei and cheese was not greater.