STORAGE OF CHEESE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2973, 10 January 1917, Page 6

STORAGE OF CHEESE

m WELLINGTON WATERFRONT STATEMENT BY MINISTER A statement regarding the storage of cheeso in Wellington was made yesterday by Hie Hon. W. .». S. MacDonaid. His first remark was that the accumulation was duo largely to tho shortage of shipping. "It may h« mentioned," Mr. Mac Donald continued, "that during August last year, negotiations were entered into for the purchase, by the Imperial Government of the whole output of New Zealand cheese, when the dairy companies were asked to quote a price whicli would be acceptable for all the cheese placed f.o.b. ocean steamer. After conferring together, delegates from the dairy companies were asked to come to_ Wellington to place their views in this connection before the Prime Minister, who was acting on behalf of the Imperial Government. At this conference the representatives of the dairy companies [intimated that they wero prepared' to accept 82(1. lh-i f-0.b., for the season's production of cheese. This offer was subsequently forwarded to the Imperial authorities, and later on a cable came to hand stating that the offer had been declined as the price was considered too high. At no time have tho cheese producers of New Zealand refused to sell their product to the Government at lOd. or lid. per lb., as has been stated in. the Press. By way of showing that the previous offer to dispose of tho cheese at 83d. per lb. was a reasonablo price—in view of the market'conditions, it need only' be mentioned that tlio Homo Government has now offered to purchase tho whole of the cheese at 9td. per lb. f.o.b. The dairy companies have already intimated their willingness to accept this price, which will no doubt result in tho deal being finally agreed to. It is true that there is about 80,000 crates of cheese in tho wharf stores at Wellington? 33,000 of which aro held in the huikling known as the 'Cheese Store.' Tho bulk of the remainder is provided for in the Pipitea wharf shed, and a smaller quantity is stored in one of tho sheds on the Glasgow Wharf. "As regards the condition of the cheese, I am informed by Mr. D. Cuddie, tho Director of the Dairy Division, that an inspection of this produce is made every day, and a chart kept recording tho temperatures at which the cheese is stored,, and that there is absolutely no truth in tho contention that? the cheeso has suffered serious damage owing- to over-heating. ■As a matter of fact, even tho cheese that has been in store for two months is now in good order and condition, and further, it can be said that none, of tho choose has so far suffered any material damage. An inspection of tho stock in all tho sheds was mado this morning, when it was found that there was no sign of tho butter-fat running from tho cheese, although it was noticed that a few crates liero and there evinced a slight oilincss on the rinds, but oven this only'applied to a comparatively small percentage of the cheese. "Tho present good condition of the cheese is in a very largo measure due to the efforts of tho Harbour Board officials, who have worked in conjunction with tho officers of the Dairy Division towards that end. When the warm weather set in, the Harbour Board immediately agreed to make provision for better ventilation of the sheds, and have so arranged tile doors and receiving ports that these may admit cold air during the night. At ono section of the main store a large fan was erected to improve the air circulation. Moreover, the Harbour Board has offered to do anything further in its power to minimise- any loss whicli may ho caused through the accumulation of these largo stocks of cheeso. The officer in charge of the Dairy Division has assured me that everything possible is being done to protect tlie cheeso from harm, not only a 6 Wellington, but at other ports where cheese is stored. Extra space has been obtained in some cases at the local freezing works, whero cheese is being hold under the very best conditions. He has also intimated_to me that the. cheese now awaiting shipment is in some respect in much better order than that which has left the Dominion when the shipping facilities were very much better than they are at the present -time; this being duo to the extra caro taken under the special circumstances which have arisen."