DAIRY PRODUCE.

Northern Advocate, 22 August 1924, Page 7

DAIRY PRODUCE.

MARK.ETIXG PHOBLEMS. FARMERS NEED ADVICE. (Special to "Northern Advocate. ,, ) AUCKLAND, This Day. Following up the interview recorded with Mr Newton King, a representative of the "Northern Advocate" had a very interesting chat with a gentleman who knows a great deal •about t'he export of dairy produce from Now Zealand. Mr Newton King's remarks are well worth close consideration, although it must bo recognised that the Agricultural Department gives all that is best in its service to see that dairy prodiicts are shipped free of defects, and in the best possible condition to catch t'he top pi-ice on the market. Mr King's remarks about the presence, or rather the effect of, bi-carbonate of soda, in the butter which has landed upon the Pacific Coast of America require careful consideration. Mr Singleton, t'he head of the Dairy Division, referring to the matter, says that the statements made do not affect all companies. ''The question of t'he quality of New Zealand butter has Won brought before the most important conferences of duiryTiien iii New Zealand during the past winter," lie said. "It is recognised that the quality of New Zealand butter was nut fully maintained last season. The long spoil of hot dry weather last summer was responsible for a greater development of sourness and ill-favours in cream than are normally present. To ensure a butter of sound keeping quality, this sourness or acidity lias to be partially' neutralised. Larger quantities of this neutralising agent were required in such cases. Even if neutralisation did not prjcced beyond the degree recommended, the increased quality so \\>ctl, toa'eihev with excesses in some cases due to careless work, have brought forth more unfavourable rt-puvts during the past season." WHY NOT MORE HELP.

■Mr Singleton has, of course, spoken with the authority of the Department j which he represents, but he has not : covered the point which has been raised by Mr King. It is of vital im- , portance to the Dominion that its produce should be placed upon the overseas markets in a perfect condi- • tion, but, strange to say, there is very f little information available regarding ' the action of bi-carbonatc of soda in connection with the quality of butter placed upon the outside markets. Dairy ! factory managers are urged to be careful. The necessity for turning out a high-grade article is emphasised, but the Department does not seem j dispoesd to give the ordinary, everyday farmer enlightenment. Again, it is necessary to point, our that the Department will not now give the information which, in the past, dairy farmers looked upon as invaluable. The quality of the Xew Zealand product is of the utmost importance to the producers, yet the farmer is not receiving the advice he should from the men responsible for the standard of the export. Dairymen in the city are by no means satisfied by Mr Singleton's answer to Mr Xewton King. The question is not covered. Why.do these lines of butter go forth to the world containing too much bi-carbonate of soda? There can be no doubt whatever that the Department is giving the best possible advice, but it is, surely, unwise to let a man like Mr Newton King find \ abroad samples of butter which, he j knows full well do not eome up to j 1 the standard of the Dominion produc[tion. Mr Singleton says that it maybe the case of individual factories, or \ something to that effect, but if New Zealand desires to capture and hold new markets, should not a better understanding bring profit? Why does not the Department talk freely upon the questions which so vitally interest the dairymen of the Dominion. Mr Singleton's remarks cover but a fraction of the issue. The officers who could give advice and help the farmer to a general understanding are unable to speak. There was a time when the officers of the Dairy Department gave the farmers substantial help by the public, discussion of matters dealing with their interests. It is not so now.