IMPROVEMENT OF ITS STANDARD.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 10 February 1908, Page 1

IMPROVEMENT OF ITS STANDARD.

STATEMENT BY MR R. M'NAB. *In reply to. a question by a "Post" representative as to whether he thought the visit to London of Messrs Cuddy Dairy Commissioner) and Reakes (Assistant Chief Veterinarian), was calculated to improve the estandard of our produce in the markets of Great Britain, the Minister for Agriculture (Mr K. M'Nab) said: — "Yes, enormously." "In what way!" the Minister was asked. "Messrs Cuddy and Reakes,' 'said the hon. gentleman, "are the pioneers of a policy of having men, wno have had New Zealand experience, and know intimately our grading and inspection, and who at the other end of the world can, •n their mind's eye, reproduce that grading and inspection. Once they were established there, and kept in touch with our graders at this end by a periodc change of men, We produce a human machine, as it were, which at the other ?nd of the world can read tho article in the light of its grading in New Zealand. Knowing -our system perfectly, they look with the New Zealand inspector's ;yes at the article after it comes out of the cold storage, and the all-world trip, and then at once tell how many points It has lost from its original grading and flavour and colour, or anything that goes :o make up the: grading. That cannot be done now. . Once they get thi6 Information, it can be classified and arranged to enable us to detect whether high -poiji ted butters depreciate more in the -voyage" than low-pointed. We will also obtain information whether the 'olour-points depreciate, and to what extent, when high or low-marked. The same in regard to flavour and texture. Supposing we were to ascertain that t very high-graded butter scarcely depreciates at all, while low-graded butters depreciate very much, we will then be able to arrange for high graded butters at this end to receive special distinction, and give to the English consumer a guarantee on buying on the >few; Zealand poi.its he will get an article" in England that has not depreciat>d more than so many, points (whatever the number may be). That guarantee will mean a great lot to the English ■onsumer, but it will mean more still •o our own producers here, who know what are the strong points of production for the round-the-world trip, and what \ra the indifferent or weak ones. Once •.hey obtain that knowledge, the course which lies open for them to follow is is plain as noonday. That is what we anticipate will enable us to produce an article that will cheat the elements of decay that accompany a long voyage. It will not improve the makes from any other point of view, but is simply to make a voyage- depreciating resisting butter and cheese.' "In regard to meat, added Mr M'Nab, "not being a manufactured article, the points to be observed are slightly different; but are of equal importance; and there is this additional icld : that a veterinary surgeon acjuainted with the- conditions and work here will always be present to advise is as to the truth or otherwise of the statements that are continually put in circulaion that N#w Zealand meat of a •irculation or in an unfit condition for :ood is being foisted on the London consumer." :