TARANAKI BLAMED FOR MUCH OF THE POOR CHEESE MADE

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7242, 13 June 1930, Page 9

TARANAKI BLAMED FOR MUCH OF THE POOR CHEESE MADE

Prefer Yield to Grade ■ The statement tvtis ventured at yet* terday’s meeting of tho executive of The Maiiawatu aiid West Coast Dairy Companies' 7 Association that Taranaki cheese-making companies were responsible for much of the poor cheese that was being unfavourably reported upon in England.. It was added-that this had been a Tcsuft’ of a desire for quantity instead of quality. ■ The discussion-arose when the Tokomaru Dairy Company tabled copies of two cablegrams -which had passed between New Zealand and England,’from and to Messrs. Lovell and Christmas, Ltd.

The cable to England read: "Our , factories would appreciate your per- ■ sonal report regarding standardised cheese. Has the quality of Xoav Zealand cheese as a whole this season been maintained on the same level as in past seasons and, if not, AA'liat are the principal grounds of complaint?” On Alay 22, tho following reply was received: "Am of opinion that quality of Xcw Zealand . cheese, generally has deteriorated during present season. The principal fault is texture too open. The cheese develops cracks immediately after cutting. There is a tendency to discolouration and, in some eases, there is a strong, rank flavour. Out of loyalty to 4 our shippers we have made efforts to obtain full price for standardised cheese and successfully until now, but it is doubtful..whether,it will bo possible in the future, as complaints are increasing and sonio public institutions arc refusing other than full creamcheese. ’ ’ It Avas reported by the secretary that the great trouble had been the practice of many Taranaki directors of instructing their managers to go for yield instead of, quality, and it had been suggested that tlie association should write to the Dairy Division urging that stops be taken to prevent that practice. Air. Small: They have been offenders for years. Mr. Spencer: Taranaki, has been going out for all the profit it can get at the expense of the other companies of the Dominion. Tho chairman thought the division had the matter in hand. Air. Spencer stated that ho had,been informed that one Manawatu company had lost money through haA’ing made standardised cheese. Air. Stiles: But what did it make out of its butter-fat? Air, Spencer replied that even Avith the butter-fat there was a loss. Factory managers avlio had been to tlie Wanganui grading stores stated that all the trouble came from Taranaki factories. It Avas’ also reported that when the directors of a Manawatu company had inA-ited applications for a managership recently, Taranaki applicants did not have a chance, as they could not produce grade notes. They had explained that their directors had urged output and not grade. Members expressed the opinion that tho cheese question Avould be the allabsorbing topic at the coming conference of the National Dairy Association at Hamilton next month.