BETTER BREAD.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18902, 18 January 1927, Page 6

BETTER BREAD.

PROBLEMS OF BAKING. SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. [THE PRESS Special Service] WELLINGTON, Jnauary 16. The attitude of the Government towards the application of scientific methods in industry generally, and particularly as affecting the baking trade, was outlined by Dr. Marsden, secretary of the new department. It was not considered tho duty of tho Government, ho said, to shoulder the responsibility of developing any particular industry and probing to the bottom its peculiar problems. Those iu the various trades would have to help themselves, find their problems, and then come to the Government with something definite to request. If the Government took the 1 whole matter up and failed, then those concerned would not care a rap, because it would not be their money that had been spent in tho unsuccessful ekperiment, The Government's objects in establishing and . conducting industrial research were twofold: First to persuade industry to an appreciation of the value of research, and second, to see that the research was earned out. They would not carry the whole baby, but would only be a temporary assistance, and would be prepared to lend experts to investigate specific problems which were discovered by the practical men to confront the various sections of trade. As with other spheres, so was it with) foodstuffs, and although there was a distinct tendency to quote many scientific facts, these facts had to be investigated and utilised.

Seeking the Bemedy. The conference discussed in a general way the problems which faced the wheat-growing, flour-manufacturing, and bread-making trades, and many suggestions for remedy were advanced. One delegate thought the remedy was iu the stacking and storing of the wheat; others complained that there were too many regulations. Dr. Marsden said tho delegates appeared to.be somewhat suspicious of scientists, but he assured them that the scientists did not profess to a knowlodge of practical baking. All that he wanted was to co-operate with the practical man so that tho source of the troubles could bo discerned, and the remedy formulated. He suggested that a special, committee of three men should be sot up .** *■)! matters which required rectification if it were desired that the people should have better bread and that greater wheat production should be secured. It was not tho Government's intention to ram science down the throats of anyone, but the men were available to ' Government Regulations.

It was of no use expecting the Government departments to do anything without inflicting Some regulations. Mr G. K. Mathieson: We have onough of them. Dr. Marsden: Well, you have to tackle your own problems ironi yoUr Own point of view. He added that while the people in some places had gone vitaminc mad—from which there must bo some reaction—much of value had been gained through a study of vitaniines. Many thousands of pounds of the British taxpayers' money was about to be spent in this country in studying the mineral salts in foods which were being used for the rearing of our childScience would lead to standardisation and equitable working, and would almost invariably get to the causes of the anomalies which at present existed The conferente passed a resolution congratulating the Government on establishing tha Dapartntettt of Scientific and Industrial Research, and welcoming any assistance which might be given to the problems confronting the baking trade.