Not Allowed To See Plant

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29827, 21 May 1962, Page 10

Not Allowed To See Plant

I New Zealand Press Association)

PALMERSTON N., May 20. Because New Zealand exported casein.- the chief engineer to the National Dairy Association (Mr A. L Birss) was refused permission to inspect a manufacturing unit in two factories overseas—one in Norway and the other in the United States Mr Birss returned to Palmerston North from a four-month world tour yesterday. The purpose of the trip was to inspect dairy plant and machinery and to take Bote of any advances in such equipment which may be of benefit to die New Zealand industry. . Mr Birss said during the early part of the tour he had noticed some machinery which he thought could be useful in casein manufacture. As the tour progressed he was informed that two manufacturers had already adapted

the unit, and when he was in the countries concerned had asked to see it in operation. In both cases he was refused, because New Zealand was a competitor of the companies concerned. However. Mr Birss said he would suggest to the National Dairy Association that they procure the unit. He said although he had- not seen it in operation, he did not see any difficulty in adapting it. Apart from various modifications to existing machines, Mr Birss said two other unite showed distinct possibilities a continuous butter-making machine in Germany and a continuous cheese-making machine. Both were still in the experimental stage. The butter - making machine, although in operation. was not at a stage where it could be useful in New Zealand. The butter it produced was very soft However, once the principle

had been perfected it could be adapted for our conditions and would speed up manufacture and cut labour cost. The ( cheese - making machine was not in operation yet When it was. it would reduce the time that the curd had to stay in the vat. The device would undertake the cheddering. milling, salting, and hooping During his tour Mr Birss visited Australia. Switzerland. Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada. Mr Birss felt that the plant used to manufacture dairy produce in New Zealand was as modern as he had seen in any of the countries he had visited. The reputation of New Zealand produce was high wherever he went. Mr Birss said. “The majority of people he spoke to in the United Kingdom said they preferred our produce to any others.”