NOTES AND COMMENTS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21209, 4 September 1940, Page 11

NOTES AND COMMENTS

Maintaining Milk Supply

When broadcasting to farmers in the United Kingdom regarding the new agricultural policy, the British Minister of Agriculture said that the most important thing was to maintain the milk supply. Dairy herds would have the first call on imported feeding stuffs. Mr Hudson also sqid

“much the best and quickest way to get increased production is to see that the farmer gets a dece-nt price, and knows what he is going to get-

Shortage of Cans Among the many difficulties that Waikato dairy producers, who have changed over to cheese supply, are facing is a shortage of cans. It is reported that some producers who had effected the change-over found that there were not sufficient cans available. Unless sufficient cans are

Well-known figure in the fat pig section of the Waikato stock market, is now associated with the firm of Messrs W. & R. Fletcher Ltd. This firm has absorbed the business of P. O. Bonham & Co., of which Mr Bonham was the principal.

made available, the Waikato district will not be in a position to manufacture the maximum amount of cheese that it is capable of manufacturing. On the other ha'nd, it is reported that

there are more cans available in some areas than are required. It is hoped to have such cans transferred to districts that are urgently in need of them.

Pigs in Demand The British Pig Producers* Council has urged the need for safeguarding the interests of pedigree breeding in the reduction of pig stpeks made necessary by the shortage of imported feeding stuffs. It suggested pedigree herds should have preferential treatment in the allocation of feeding stuffs, and that all arable farmers not at present pig producers should be asked to keep as many pigs as possible, which may be fed on produce which would otherwise be wasted.

British Milk Scheme As an urgent measure of war-time food policy, a new national milk scheme has been introduced in the United Kingdom. It is meant to ensure that the increase in the price of milk made necessary by increased cost of production and distribution does not affect those classes of the community whose need for milk is greatest.

Table Margarine It is understood that the' Bill now before the Victorian Parliament designed to control and restrict the manufacture of table margarine will be regarded as a pattern for similar legislation in other States of the Commonwealth. The measure provides for the licensing of margarine manufacturers and of factory premises. It distinguishes betw r een manufacturers of table and cooking margarine, and limits the amount of table margarine, which may be manufactured within Victoria, to 23 tons a week. At a meeting of the Australian Agricultural Council in August, 1939, when the States were urged to enact legislation of a uniform nature, a total of 73 tons of table margarine was proposed as the maximum quantity that should be made in the Commonwealth, divided between the States as follows:—New South Wales, 24 tons; Victoria, 23 tons; Queensland, 9 tons; South Australia, 6 tons; Western Australia, 7 tons: Tasmania. 4 tons.

Firmer values for baconers have ruled at most yards with a very firm sale for porkers. An increase in activity can be looked for when the new export schedule is announced this month. In the store pig section values are abnormally high and prices at times seem out of all proportion to true value. Sows have been meeting with a good sale and yesterday at the central yards prices to £lO 2s 6d were paid.