A SIGNIFICANT WARNING.

Northern Advocate, 13 March 1913, Page 7

A SIGNIFICANT WARNING.

FAULTY DAIRY PRODUCE

ENGLISH COMPLAINTS

In a recent report Mr Cuddie, head of the Dairy Division, complained of the hesitation of merchants to report candidly to the dairy companies when cheese showing certain defects reach the market. He went on to say that this was a most unfortunate weakness, because it placed factory managers and dairy farmers in a false position, and resulted in no effort being made to remedy defects which are known by the merchant and consumer to exist; for, hearing nothing to the contrary, they wrongly conclude that the produce must be giving entire satisfaction. There will no longer be any excuse that dairymen are under the de • lusion that all is well with the industry after the publication of the frank cable from London intimating that complaints are being made in Eng land about the poor.condition of recent shipments of butter and cheese from certain New Zealand factories, which experts declare to be the result of uncleanliness. This startling advice is not calculated to improve the popularity of our dairy products on the Home market. A few days ago some comments made by prominent men in the dairy produce industry were published regarding weaknesses at this end, which were chiefly concerned with the grading and storage oi ! cheese before shipment. That there i* something more to be feared than lack of cool storage as an influential factor in determining the quality of the product is contained in the unvarnished opinion expressed in the cable referred to stating that some of orr factories are turning out an article that shows inferiority because of the uncleanliness of either the makers or suppliers to the factory. There is no mistaking the meaning of the exports at the other end. Those few cabled words convey no vague statements, and, coming from the source they do, should compel immediate action en the part of those responsible for providing the remedy locally. The gospel of cleanliness in every phase of the dairying industry has been consis tently and earnestly advocated by the Government officials for years. Dairy factory managers have joined in the crusade against the destroying microbe that defeats their best efforts to manufacture the choicest article, yet it is evident that their advice has not availed to defeat the worst enemy

o* the factory manager and incidentally the supplier of milk or cream. Fortunately for our credit, only a few of the factories are indicted, but the significant note of the cable provides a forcible reminder which should not be without its lesson to all producers in this country, besides strengthening the hands of those who are battling; against the apathy and indifference of defaulters. It is manifestly unfair that the dairyman who observes proper sanitary conditions should be a sufferer because of his neighbor's negligence, and, however much compulsory measures may be objectionable, it must "be recognised that the*

market credit of one of the principal industries of the country must be maintained at all hazards, even at the risk of raising another furore as that which took place some years ago when a system of official inspection of dairying, plants was suggested.— •N.Z. Times."