H.—3o.

SUPPLIES OF CHEESE AVAILABLE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM IN 1937. The production of cheese in the United Kingdom in 1937 has been estimated to be 38,000 tons, or 17,000 tons below 1936. Total imports of cheese into the United Kingdom in 1937 were 10 per cent.' greater than in 1936. Imports of cheese from Empire countries increased in 1937 by 8 per cent, compared with imports in 1936. Imports from Empire countries in 1937 amounted to approximately 90 per cent, of the total imports, compared with approximately the same percentage figure in 1936. New Zealand in 1937 supplied 59 per cent, of the total imports into the United Kingdom, Canada 25 per cent., and Australia 4 per cent. The following tabulation shows the total cheese available for consumption in the United Kingdom, the Home production and net imports, and the main sources of supply :—

Cheese available for Consumption in the United Kingdom.

In relative importance the main sources of supply are : —

The graph shown on page 21 gives the source of supply of cheese consumed in the United Kingdom. Cheese-production in the United Kingdom for the eight months January to August, 1938, estimated at approximately 33,000 tons, is higher by about 2,500 tons, or 6 per cent., than in the same period of 1937, while imports are practically the same in both periods. Decreased supplies from New Zealand of 2,600 tons and from Canada of 1,500 tons are offset by an increase of 3,900 tons from Australia. Shipments from the latter country, at 7,700 tons, are double those of the previous year. Supplies from other sources show little change. MILK-PRODUCTION IN THE UNITED KINGDOM. The total quantity of milk passing under the control of the Milk Marketing Boards in England and Wales and Scotland in 1936 and 1937 was :—•

Returns for the first eight months of 1938 indicate that the loss of output in 1937 will be more than recovered, total milk passing under the control of the Boards in that period being higher by 41,000,000 gallons than in the same months of the previous year. Milk consumed in liquid form increased by over 26,000,000 gallons, and that used in manufacture by nearly 15,000,000 gallons. Increases in the manufacture of condensed milk and milk-powder, which is about 30 per cent, and 60 per cent, respectively above the same period of last year, have absorbed the increase in the disposal of milk for manufacturing purposes.

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1934. 193S. 1936. 1937. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Home production .. .. 50,238 57,074 54,585 37,760 Net imports .. .. 147,917 134,274 132,600 145,800 198,155 191,348 187,185 183,560

1934. 1935. 1936. 1937. Per Cent. Per Cent. Per Cent. Per Cent. New Zealand .. .. .. 53 46 45 47 Home production .. 25 30 29 21 Canada .. .. 13 12 16 20

SnM in Use< * or ManuYear ' Liquid Form. fa ?? ure ' j5 cludin g Total. 1 JJ arm Cheese. Gallons. Gallons. Gallons. 1936 .. .. .. 749,000,000 410,000,000 1,159,000,000 1937 .. .. .. 791,000,000 335,000,000 1,126,000,000 Increase in 1937 .. 42,000,000 Decrease in 1937 .. .. 75,000,000 33,000,000