MILK GRADING

Evening Star, Issue 21036, 25 February 1932, Page 14

MILK GRADING

STATEMENT BY MINISTER

[Per United Press Association.]

WELLINGTON, February 24

The maintenance of a high standard of quality iu our dairy produce is a matter of paramount importance to the dominion, and the necessity for this is fully recognised by those responsible for the conduct of the dairy industry, states the new Minister of Agriculture (Air Macmillan). In 1926 the system of grading cream with differential payments according to quality was instituted in connection with bntter-makingj proceeded the Minister, and this, alter a minimum of difficulties iu practice, which were quickly and satisfactorily overcome, has since worked smoothly and well and with great benefit to the industry. For some time past the industry has discussed the question of establishing a system of grading milk for cheese-mak-ing, hut there has not been absolute unanimity upon it iu the North Island. This has not been due to any doubt as to the soundness of the proposal, but rather to an apprehension that if differential payments according to grade were instituted suppliers who were discontented on account of their milk being graded below first quality would cease to supply the cheese factory concerned, and instead separate their cream and send it to a butter factory. Should individuals take this course their cream would be subjected to grading and to differential payment according to grade. Milk grading lias to be conducted on a method differing from that in use with cream, and a simple test has been evolved lor use in connection with it, which, iu practice, should prove satisfactory both to suppliers and to factory managers. The question of introducing milkgrading throughout the industry has been fully discussed lately with, the Dairy Board, which is wholly iu favour of it, and proposals are now under consideration by the Government for giving it a start during the remainder of the present season throughout the dominion under trial conditions only. There is no intention of making compulsory any differential payments to suppliers as a result of grading or of doing anything more than give the system a try out under practical working conditions. This will, on the one hand, enable both suppliers and factory managers to form their own opinions as to the merits of the system under conditions which cannot detrimentally affect anyone; and, on the other hand, it will furnish n practical illustration of howmilk grading would work if, after full consideration, it is put into operation next season in complete form.