CHEESE PRODUCTION

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 October 1930, Page 2

CHEESE PRODUCTION

BEST QUALITY ESSENTIAL.

[pee peess association.]

DANNEVIRKE, October 24. The Minister of Agriculture paid his first visit to Dannevirke to-day for the purpose of opening the Dannevirke Dairy Coy’s factory, built to replace the pioneer one of the dairying industry in southern Hawke s Bay, which was destroyed by lire last Easter. The Minister was entertained by the Club at lunch. Replying to the welcomes, he spoke of the necessity for optimism. He felt sure the situation would improve, and better prices would be obtained for primary products. All had to recognise that they must aim at producing the very best article. There was no use in turning out inferior articles, because the people at Home and in New Zealand would not have it. The aim of the Agriculture Department was to instil into producers the idea that they must produce the best quality goods. If the producers would not help in making a first class article, then other steps would have to be taken to see that the desired article was obtained. The South Island people had been urging the Government to prohibit the export of standardised cheese, but at present standardised cheese was allowed by law, and so long as it was allowed by law, it would have to go on; but it was up to the producers to produce an article which was equal to the quality required by the purchaser in England. It was their duty to see that their products ’were kept up to the highest possible standard, and so obviate the necessity for the prohibition asked for, while the position regarding their cheese was being investigated by the Department’s officers, who were collaborating with the officers in Massey College at Palmerston North.

STANDARDISATION STOPPED.

WELLINGTON, October 24

The question as to whether the manufacture of standardised cheese should be discontinued meantime, was discussed at length by the Dairy Board to-day. Dr. Reakes (DirectorGeneral of the Agriculture Department), Mr Singleton (Director of the Dairy Division), and Messrs Ross and McKenzie (Government graders) were present by invitation, and advantage was taken to discuss all aspects of the question with them. A committee of the Board consisting of Messrs lorns (chairman), J. Dunlop, J. Hine, T. A. Winks, and J. R. Corrigan had previously discussed very fully this matter, and recommended that the Board urge that all manufacture of standardised cheese be prohibited from November 1 to March 31, and that the position be further reviewed then.

After a very full discussion, the Committee’s rcommendations were approved by nine votes to two.