EXPORT CHEESE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 May 1941, Page 4

EXPORT CHEESE

BRITAIN READY TO I'AKE 160,000 TONS WITH MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF DRIED MILK. CHANGE-OVER PROBLEMS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Advice has been received from the Ministry of Food that the United Kingdom Government is prepared to make a contract with the New Zealand Government for 160,000 tons of cheese from the 1941-42 production season. Making this announcement yesterday the Minister of Marketing. Mr Barclay, said the production of such a large quantity of cheese from this country would mean a considerable reorganisation within the dairy industry, as an additional 40.000 to 50.000 tons would be required over and above the present season’s record production. “I am sure,’’ said the Minister, “that the dairy-farmers of the Dominion will again rise to the occasion and make the same effort during the coming year that they have made this year with such satisfactory results. The knowledge and experience gained from the change-over measures taken during the current season will be invaluable in formulating the necessary plans for the coming year, and the Government intend to consult the Dairy Board immediately with a view to finalising details of procedure. “A preliminary survey in anticipation of a possible change-over envisaging the production of 160,000 tons of cheese has already been undertaken by the Dairy Division of the Department of Agriculture, and the Dairy Board has also given considerable attention to the issues involved.

It is hoped that in the coming conference between the Government and the New Zealand Dairy Board, the respective parts to be played by the industry and the Government will be fully developed, and that an early announcement can be made giving details to the dairy industry of the plans decided upon. “While emphasising its paramount desire for a production of 160,000 tons of cheese, the Ministry of Food also desire the maximum production of dried milk from New Zealand, and therefore the change-over plans will have to take that further factor into account.” ’