BUTTER AND CHEESE

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 257, 14 July 1926, Page 12

BUTTER AND CHEESE

NATIONAL DAIRY ASSOCIATION OUTSPOKEN ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT NEW ZEALAND & DANISH METHODS COMPARED Ninety-five dairy companies were represented at the annual conference of tlio National Dairy Association of New Zealand, which opened in the lown j , Concert Chamber yesterday, gates, who were welcomed by the Major (Mr. C. J- B. Norwood) were from the Taranaki, Wellington, Hawke’s Bay, and Auckland districts. Mr. M. A. Morton, of Egmont y illage, the president of the association, who presided, regretted that the dairying industry was not progressing as much as it should and said that mated they were practically standing still, lie suggested that if production was to be increased more attention would have to be paid to the stock and to the farms. It was his opinion also that the quality of New Zealand butter uas below that of Danish butter. He'advocated research work, and suggested the establishment of a dairy school to be attached to the proposal agricultural The directors present at the meeting were: Messrs. T Moss (Eketahuna) T. Bassett (Mangawhare), J. Gildea (Maharahara). T. Winks (Hawera), J. D. Brown (Ohau). the Hon. J. B. Gow (Opo tiki), and J. B. Murdoch (Hawera). President’s Address. Last winter, said Mr. Morton, in his address, had been to some extent a bad season. It was an unusually prolonged winter, extending into the spring months, accompanied by great shortage of feed. There was a lesson tor the farmer, that he should always endeavour to provide for an extended severe season. Ho know that was done last season and that in dairying districts large fields of hay were saved and extra provision was made. They had fortunately got through the winter remarkably well; they had fairly mild weather, and it might be followed by an earlier spring than last year. They were all looking forward to something better than they had last rear. Not only was there necessity for the farmers to provide more in the way of feed for their stock, but more attention should be paid to the growth of shelter belts on ‘.he farms. Increased Production. There were a great many farmers, the speaker continued, who, because they wore carrying out a thorough system ot herd-testing and culling, and were coupling with that a proper system of topdressing of their pastures, were getting extraordinarily good results. It some farmers could do that, why not a groat many more, if not all ? Herd-testing was the best thing that dairy farmers could take up, and top-dressing would give good returns; at least fivefold had been got in this way. l s olitical loaders had declared from time to time that it was necessary to increase production So far as dairying was concerned, he old not think it was a difficult matter to produce more. But those were the two main ways of increasing production -to increase' the standard of cows by herd-testing, and to improve the standard of the farms, <o get better returns per cow and better returns per acre; so that even with a lower price for butterfat, they could make the farms more profitable than they now were. Compulsory grading was becoming an increasing necessity, said Mr. Morton, and during the coming session legislation would be brought in to make provision for that. He thought the result would be to greatly improve the quality of dairy produce, especially when penal clauses had been put into operation once or twice. In the North Auckland district a form of compulsory grading had been in operation, and the results had been all to the good. He felt that those results would bo effected, al] through New Zealand. Freight Rates. In regard to the regulation of shipments, Mr. Morton said it was unfortunate that the seamen’s strike had interfered with the system which had been adopted by the board. Reductions af freight rates had been made for the shipment of produce from Australia to England, and he believed that they would benefit from a reduction of rates in New Zealand, probably during the coming season. It was probable that the Dairy Board would receive a reduction m freight rates for the remainder of their contract, which had thirteen or fourteen months to run, but at any rate it was practically certain that any new contract which was secured would have tho benefit of reductions. Insipid Butter. When he was in London recently, he eaid, ho spent a good deal of time in Tooley Street, ana heard a great deal from the merchants in connection with our produce—more particularly in regard to butter—and tho one common complaint which they made was that Now Zealand butter was becoming, very Hat and very insipid: it was practically flavourless. They had heard a great deal in the past about the' competition which was supposed to exist between ourselves and Denmark. Danish butter had something about it which New Zealand butter, he believed, possessed about 30 years ago, in the early days of the factory system, but which it had been losing more and more, until to-day it had been lost nearly altogether, It possessed a fine, rich, nutty flavour. He could quite understand consumers getting to like that flavour; and they would never then be satisfied with insipid butter. If they were to attempt to oust Danish butter from the British market, they must try to make butter more nearly like Danish butter. Ho knew they could not produce similar butter, because it would not keep if subjected to the same conditions. Scientific Research Wanted. As a result of what he saw in Den--mark he knew that they made much greater use of scientific knowledge than we did, and were able to impart that rich flavour to their butter. New Zealand and Danish butlers were quite distinct articles —each had its separate consumers, and one did not come into competition with the other. Danish butter was nearly all marketed in the North of England and Scotland. New Zealand butter was nearly all marketed in London and in the southern and western parts of England. In confirmation of what he had said in regard to the lack of fine flavour in our butter, he quoted frotr the report of the judge of the 'Wellington Winter Show. .... . -, Mr. Morton then referred to the visit and report of Sir Frank Heath, and emphasised the importance of scientific research in furthering the progress of the dairy industry. What was wanted —following research and laboratory work—was some institution where dairy factory managers could get a scientific training. (Applause.) Such ti training was regarded on the Continent as being absolutely essential. Tie specially mentioned the scientific training given in Denmark and Finland, and pointed to the benefits conferred on the dairy industry in the Taranaki district by the work done nt tho Hawera laboratory. Mr. Morton went on to review tho balance-sheet of the association, . and urged the importance of. establishing permanent promises in various parts of the country In order to facilitate tho handling of their produce. Air. F. Maule (Ashhiirst) seconded the vloption of the annual report and bal-ance-sheet. Replying to a question, the chairman stated that the approximate turmw>«-

of the association for the year was 22150,000. Cheese Quality Satisfactory. To another questioner, Mr. Morton said that he had made inquiries when he was abroad as to the quality of the cheese. He had found that the quality was quite satisfactory, except in one respect—it was too open. Some ot the Tooley Street experts had expressed the view that there was too much moisture in the cheese, and it might be possible to make it a little firmer. In all other ■ respects, however, he found that New Zealand cheese was satisfactory. Mr. Trotter (Stratford) said that New Zealand was an ideal country for cheese, and he thought they should pay more attention to problems affecting the production of cheese., Mr. Johnson (Jolty Dairy Companj) said that he thought the time had arrived when some of tho grading of butter should be done at Home. It seemed to him that some of the graders in New Zealand did not understand the requirement© of the Home market. Another speaker suggested that they should consider very seriously the question of sending some factory managers Home to study the conditions. The chairman said that the saltless butter which left New Zealand wont to the blending factories. In one such factory at Home he had seen 2060 boxes of one New Zealand factory’s butter which had been in store for some months. In answer to another question, the chairman said that the expenses for the past year appeared unduly high owing to tho cost of the visit to Europe and Australia. Every effort was. being made by the directors to economise as far as possible. Quality Butter. Mr. W. M. Singleton, Director of the Dairy Division, endorsed what the chairman had said in connection with the aroma of fresh-made butter. Some speakers were evidently of opinion, and he agreed with them, that Danish, freshmade butter had a flavour which our butter could not have when it arrived on the London market. We had more of that aroma in the earlier days, but there were complaints then of “fishiness.” Such complaints did not now exist. Since the campaign of the Department in regard to neutralising agents, such substitutes were now more judiciously used. Our butter at this end had been improved in grade by half a point. Unfortunately, however, we had not yet got credit for that in the London market. He mentioned that recently some of our output had been kept in store for an unduly long period, some of it being held in London far too long a time and under perhaps improper conditions. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. It was resolved that the next meeting of the conference be held at Rotorua. Directors Re-slected, Mr. J. D. Brown (Ohau) was re-elect-ed a director representing tho Wellington district. The Hon. J. B. Gow (Auckland) and J. B. Murdoch (Taranaki) were re-elected unopposed. A remit from Morrinsvillc, asking the Railway Department to draw up a scheme to enable dairy factory employees to travel at holiday excursion rates upon railways when on annual holiday, was carried. Orders for Payment. The Kaipara Company put forward a remit suggesting that the association should extend legal and financial assistance to any member becoming involved in legal proceedings, by reason of their attempting to exercise control over assignments of funds or orders for payment given by suppliers. The chairman said that the association had obtained legal advice on this point several times in the past. If they undertook to extend financial assistance to companies becoming involved they might let themselves in for thousands of pounds. ... , , The Hon. J. B. Gow said that a struggling dairy farmer was the best judge as to how his money should be paid out. Mr. T. Moss said that while he had every sympathy with struggling dairv farmers there were some who required to be protected against themselves, as they were inclined to give orders for machinery to every plausible traveller who came round. The remit was held over until the association’s legal advisor had been heard upon the subject of the responsibilities of directors. ~ A remit, submitted hy the Cheltenham Company, requesting an early revision of the Customs tariff in respect Io goods from countries where high Customs duties are charged on New Zealand primary products, was carried. The conference will resume at 9.30 o’clock this morning.