MORE EXPORT RESTRICTIONS.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 March 1941, Page 4

MORE EXPORT RESTRICTIONS.

A N announcement by the Minister for Agriculture (Mr Barclay)' that restrictions on the export of butter are likely to follow those already imposed on exports of meat is anything but welcome news, though the sacrifice entailed of course is one this country must be prepared to make in furtherance of the war effort of the Empire. Details of the restrictions to be imposed on the shipment of butter and of the extent to which the position can be modified by changing over to the production of cheese have yet to be made known. From the Ministers statement, howevei, the position to be met is rather serious. With the guaranteed price scheme in operation where dairy produce is concerned, a definite obligation on the Government and a substantial new call on the State finances seem likely to be entailed. The principal relieving factor no doubt will be in changing ovei to the production of cheese, lout possibilities in that direction unfortunately appear to be rather limited. Something has already been done in this direction, but the total practicable scope is not great.. According to the "Year Book,” the Dominion had in operation in 1938-39, 121 butler factories, 242 cheese factories and 39 dual plant factories. There were in that year 54,256 butter factory suppliers and 10.707 suppliers to cheese and dual plant factories. As compared with the preceding year, there was in 1938-39 a reduction of eight in the number of butter factories and a reduction of one each in cheese and dual plant factories. Ihe Dominion consumes internally about 17 per cent of its butter production and approximately 7 per cent of its cheese production. The whole position with regard to internal consumption and export, alternative methods of processing and the practicability of reaching alternative external markets of course will have to be examined in detail.