MILK FOR HOME USE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 260, 2 November 1928, Page 17

MILK FOR HOME USE.

COMPETITION IN ENGIAND.

BENEFITS TO CONSUMER .AND

FARMER

As the supply o f milk of a hioh standard of quality is of supreme importance in the home, it is proposed to offer a suggestion that may possibly afford some help in that direction. At present in thi 3 country the chief reliance for the healthfulness of the milk that is used in the home consists of laws and regulations that apply to the dairyman and to the retailer. There is not a modicum of encouragement to the dairyman himself to assure a higher quality of the product. Restrictions there axe. but of encouragement there is none. In certain countries there are methods that have been adopted to encourage the dairy man, for let it be remembered the business of the supply of milk for domestic consumption is one of the most arduous of the enterprises of the farm, and the remuneration to the owner is not of the largest. There is very decidedly not ;i margin that will permit expenses in labour or in equipment or permit costlv methods of production. The question of the control of the domestic milk supply in this country is frequently the subject of discussion, and it may not, however, be claimed that direct means have been proposed The improvement of the supply is still far from satisfactory, although praise must be extended to several enterprises in which the proprietors purchase milk from the producers, and retail, or distribute it under the best conditions. So far that may be accepted as satisfactory. There still remains the chief point. The real cleanliness, the purity, of the milk is determined by the conditions on the farm itself where the cows are kept and where they are milked. This is recognised in Great Britain, where the clean milk competition has become an especially important factor with the dairy man who supplies milk for domestic consumption. In Great Britain, clean milk competitions first became prominent through the activities of the Essex Agricultural Society, who, in co-operation with the Institute of Agriculture, organised a competition in 1920. The competitions still continued in these organisations. The British Ministry of Agriculture recognised the value of the movement, and provided a guide in the form of a leaflet for a scheme of competitions that may be of general application. The short statement of the scheme is: To demonstrate that without expensive equipment it is possible to produce milk of high hygienic quality and which will keep well. The method of the conducting of the coDi})ctitioii.s is by the collection oi samples and by the visits of persons specially appointed to report on methods. The competitions are of some three months' duration, but there is the recommendation that they should extend-to a longer time. A scale of marks is provided that is based on a possible maximum of 1500 points, divided between conditions on the farm on the examination of the milk. It has been usual to present the winner with a Challenge Cup, to be held for a year, or won outright under certain conditions. Medals and certificates are included in the awards. The milk is of a higher standard, and the keeping quality is much improved. Producers are taking out licenses under the graded milk provisions. The dairy men who are award gainers are in the position to offer a guarantee to tho public of a milk of high quality. The publicity of the results of the competitions has created an extensive demand for this milk, so much so that the .supplies became inadequate. Tho supporters of the competitions are:— The National Milk Publicity Council, the Empire Marketing Association, the Farmers' Union (of Great Britain), the County Board of Health, the County Agri«ti,*tural Associations, etc., and many other organisations and influential leaders of agriculture. It is submitted that in New Zealand there are many associations and companies, as well as municipalities, that may well come to the support of such a scheme as that of the clean milk competitions. The Agricultural and Pastoral Associations may well become intimately interested in the scheme. These associations may with advantage to themselves realise that there may be other activities in which they may take part, than to hold only annual shows. There is the relationship between them and the farmer that should be the object of the most sedulous cultivation. There is a very obvious consideration for the Agricultural and Pastoral Associations in the support of such a scheme as that of the clean milk competitions, it would bring them into cloee mutual interests. The municipal authorities are to a great extent tlie guardians of the health of the people, and the provisions of a healthful milk is a definite and essential advance in that direction. There are such business concerns as the fertiliser companies, certain dairy associations, and there are those enterprises that are concerned with the purchase of milk from the dairymen and who distribute it to the consumers. It is from those organisations that generous prizes may be expected. The great advantage of the encouragement of the dairymen is that the assured clean milk supply is an outstanding security to the health of the people oi the Dominion. It is not expected that the scheme ol clean milk competitions is possible oj establishment without the assistance oi energetic and sustained propaganda.