REViEW OF THE BUTTER SEASON.

Evening Post, Volume LXVII, Issue 149, 24 June 1904, Page 2

REViEW OF THE BUTTER SEASON.

MR. CUDDi'E ON 'ITIE SUBJECT. ADVOCACY OF PASTEURISATION. (From Our Special Reporter.) _ PALMERSTON NORTH, This Day. Tho Acting Dairy Commissioner (Air. D. Cuddii') road a paper before- the Dairy Conference this morning, in which he reviewed tho season's progress in butter, with special references to quality, and suggestions regarding improvements. Mr. Cuddie said that at no time in the history of tho dairy industry in Now Zealand had tho standard of quality in creamery butter reached such a high degree of excellence as during Iho 1903-4 season. This contention had been homo out by the reports received from the various British provision merchants who traded in our butter and by tho testimony of our Pioduco Commissioner in London. These reports proved that tho condition in which tho larger portion of our butter opened up on tho London market was considered very satisfactory. Returns recently compiled in the speaker's oftice showed that tho percentage of fir&tgtado'butter shipped lo tho United Kingdom during tho period under review amounted 'to 97£ per cent. Of this quantity, over 30,000 boxes wero scored by tho graders 94£ points, or over out of tho possible 100, and this may bo taken as a very gratifying result. A feature of tho season's work worthy of special mention was that in almost every case tho butter which scored high at this end maintained its choice flavour throughout, according to tho reports of the British agents who received it. In a few instances Iho butler was said to havo arrived in a state of perfection, although it had travelled 12,000 miles to market. When the Jow prka received was considered, it was difficult to conjecture what would have ocourrcd had the quality on tho whole not been satisfactory, and there was little doubt that the progress of the dairying industry would havo received a very serious check indeed but for the splendid condition in which the bulk of tho produce arrived in London. If prifces were high wo wero more inclined to discount any favourablo reports which enmo to hand, as it is well known that complaint* are fewer when tho market is good. As already stated, glowing accounts as to condition and quality came during tho season under review. As tho season advanced quotations for butter gradually declined and reached a lower level than previously recorded in tho past ten years Compared with previous years, thero had been less cause for alarm with regard to fishinoss in the New Zealand butter, and although this very serious defect had not by any means disappeared, there had been a decided fall-, ing off in tho number of cases roportod. Tho cause of fishiness is still a matter of speculation, and it is useless at prosent to attempt to prescribo a specific remedy. Notwithstanding complimentary references to our produce above referred to, Mr. Cnddio said it was well to remember thnt thero was still a wide flold for further improvement in tho butter manufactured at a very largo number of our factories, especially in tho matter of flavour. Leaving out of consideration tho best brands, which are not nearly "so numerous as they should be, the remainder aro found to bo faulty and to some extent irregular. What is required today is more uniformity in tho flavour of butter, and a bettor keeping arficle. Tho Danish article is more uniform in flavour than purs, but thero was no roason why we should not bo on equal terms in this respect. In order to bring this about it will bo 'necessary to face tho question of pasteurisation, so that tho pure cultures and starters which are now in general uso may bo utilised to the best advantage. He was well aware that some of tho factory managers wore op^posed lo pasteurisation, especially thoso who were turning out a good butter under existing conditions, and thero would bo less need for adopting it if all factories could bo brought into line. But to cope with the present irregularity there must bo one universal system of working, and pasteurisation would help to obtain an absolutely pure milk Mipply. Tho system should bo given a fair trial, especially in those factories whero objectionable flavours predominate. Other countries which have already built up a large butter trado aro adopting thi« syslem, and wo must mako strenuous efforts to keep in the front rn-ok. The weakest spot in the industry in our colony is tho inferior condition in which some of tho milk is delivered at the factories. Thpse to whom this fault can bo charged err.cd through lack. of knowledge or through M'ant of attention to j the common-law of cleanliness. He and other members of tho dairy start' wero - aware of circumstances which were bad for the industry, and ©very endeavour was made to bring about a better stato of thirgs 'amongst the ignorant. Factory managers and directors could do a great deal in this direction, and should exert their influence for good. Money was lost all round by carelessness in tho milk supply, and when tho careless farmer was taught what his neglect meant in £ « d, then he would rapidly improve. Special instructors might be appointed, not necessarily by tho Government, to help in this \vork. Concluding, tho Commissioner referred again to the question of market prices, and said that the present drop in prices might prove a blessing in disguise, as it would direct attention to the improvement of dairy herds by breeding from tho best clock and weeding out the poorest. Dairy farmers should also remember that good and bad years wore inevitable in almost every branch oj farming, and tho dairy industry in this colony wns placed on -a paying basis long before butter-fat was worth 9d or lOd per Ib. A few questions were asked on the conclusion of tho reading of the paper. Ono questioner remarked that English Rgents jiad urged directors of factories not to pasteurise their milk. What were they to do? Tho Commissioner replied that the bulk of tlifl butter consumed nowadays in England was made from pasteurised cream, and was fetching 12s moro than New Zealand's butter. • Was any buller from tho pasteurised treatment being sent from New Zealand? Mr. Cuddio was asked. Practically none ; that was to say, the quantity sent out was hardly worth mentioning. Isn't pasteurisation only an antidote for carelessness and neglect? was another question. No, • replied the expert ; it was not an antidote for all kinds of dairying evils. Did tho Danes go in for it? Yes ; pasteurisation was universal and compulsory in Denmark factories, and was tho secret of that country's success from the uniformity point of view. On tho motion of the Chairman (Mr. Foreman), Mr. Cuddie received a hearty vote of thanks.

Palmewton North is still looking forM'ard to'tho erection of its promised new Post Office. Tho public of this growing rcntro of an important farming district is greatly inconvenienced by tho limited accommodation of the existing post and telegraph officei A Mormon gentleman who wao wanted as a witnoKs by tho United States Senate Committee on Mormonifim, tied fo Canada rather thnn give evidence. He left behind him in Salt Lake City seven wivrs and uncountable children.