STANDARD MUST BE MAINTAINED

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 171, 7 April 1923, Page 11

STANDARD MUST BE MAINTAINED

A DAIRY COMPANY FINED FOR MAKING INFERIOR BUTTER

That Hie Government is determined to maintain tho high standard of New Zealand products on the London market was indicated by a prosecution brought at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, when the Heretaunga Dairy Factory Company, Ltd., of Hastings,, was prosecuted for sending to the grading store, butter containing more than 16 per cent, of moisture. Mr. J. O’Dea, dairy produce grader for the Agricultural Department, who conducted the prosecution, said that the Department looked upon this as a serious matter. Tho Department had recently had a communication upon the subject from the High as a consequence of which the Director of the Dairy Division had issued a circular te all dairy factory managers impressing upon them the necessity for keeping New Zealand butter up to the standard. “This is not the first offence committed by the Heretaunga Dairy Company,” proceeded Mr. O’Dea; “it happens to be the third. Two churnings had been previously returned to the factory, and they had been warned that a repetition of the offence -would result in drastic measures being taken. Unfortunately,, many of the dairy companies have been, sailing too close to the wind, and not allowing sufficient margin to be on the safe side.” Mr. F.. K. Hunt, S.M.: Have any other dairy factories offended in the same wayP Mr. O’Dea: Many of them do not allow sufficient margin, and the Department is determined that the standard of New Zealand butter shall be maintained. Mr. F. W. Cook, managing director of the defendant said that there had been no intention on the company’s part to infringe the Jaw in nny way. The company had had the advice of an analyst, who had assured it that its products were well below the 16 per cent, of water allowed by statute.' The trouble was that churnings fluctuated very much. In reply to a question from the Bench, the Government grader eaid that with the modern scientific appliances which factory managers had at their disposal there was no excuse for more than 16 per cent, of water in outputs of butter.

The Magistrate agreed that the standard of New Zealand products must be maintained, and inflicted a fine upon the company of £25 and costs.