PRODUCTION CHECKED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 August 1939, Page 7

PRODUCTION CHECKED

REDUCTION IN BUTTERFAT OUTPUT. THREAT SEEN TO LIVING STANDARDS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) HAMILTON. August 16. "For the first time in my recollection, butterfat has shown a reduction for two seasons in succession and this season is opening inauspiciously. our company showing a decline of 27.84 per cent in butter and 16.22 per cent in cheese, compared with June and July last season,” said the chairman of the New Zealand Co-op Dairy Company. Mr R. H. McKenzie, at the annual meeting today. "Unless we experience a remarkably good* growing season, we may again show a fall in production. Much of this, it is true, is the result of unfavourable weather, but by no means all. We have had unfavourable seasons before. but then a normal, natural increase has made up the leeway. To a great extent this normal increase has ceased, a fact which should give the Government food for thought. "Time was when every farmer aimed at increasing production, and usually succeeded in doing so. but under present conditions he has not been encouraged. nor has he the means, to do so. Countries live on their production —in New Zealand on farm production. If the farmer goes down so will everyone else in the country, and our much vaunted high standard. of living will go down as surely as night follows day"’