THE MILK STANDARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13708, 26 March 1908, Page 7

THE MILK STANDARD.

INOTHER CONFERENCE.

THREE per CENT. SUGGESTED.

THE PRIME MINISTER TO BE APPROACHED..

A further conference was held yesterday afternoon, between the executive of the, Agricultural and Pastoral Association, Milk Suppliers' Association, and the Milk Vendors' Association, to consider the new milk standard of 3.25 fixed by the Government. The health officer (Dr. Purdy) was present. Mr. John Massey, president of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, who presided, reiterated some of the arguments previously used against the new standard. There wore occasions during the year when it was impossible for cows to give the standard of butler-fat required.

Mr. Gray moved as follows: —"That a series of observations be carried out by the Agricultural .Department in different centres of the percentage of fat in the milk of cows, and that the standard of 3.25 be not enforced until April 1, 1909, or until such data demonstrates the possibility of producing milk with this percentage at all times of the year." The mover declared that in September, October, and November cows could not supply the new standard. Cows could not. put on flesh, after perhaps a severe winter, and at the same time give such a standard of butter-fat. It was a very great rise in the standard—from 2.5 to 3.25. Perhaps the 2.5 was rather low, but he was satisfied that the 3.25 was impossible of attainment. Mr. R. Milieu seconded the motion. Mr. Tansley said that all the milk vendors were agreed that the new standard was too i high. ! Mr. Pilkington declared that it was the duty of the Health Department to provide those connected with the industry with more solid information, especially as_ to statistics from other parts of the Dominion. Dr. Purdy, in reply to a question, &aid he did not know what the old standard was, if there was any. In England the standard was 3 per cent., and in Victoria it was 3.5. In New Zealand they wished to provide for the best interests of the larger portion of the community, a.nd strike a happy medium. He quoted an authority stating that the results of an examination among different herds in England showed that the butter fat in the morning was below three per cent., the failure to reach the standard being shown almost daily in the early part of July. Apart from the little financial bias which they were all so liable to have, he believed, that it was generally admitted that it was necessary to Lay down a good, definite standard. If it went forth to the outside world that New Zealand cows could not produce milk with 3.25 per cent, of fat, then it could not be claimed on the Home market as at present that New Zealand milk and butter were equal to the best produced in Denmark or any other part of the world. • Mr. Humdall said ho had no doubt the farmers could attain the new standard by culling their herds, but it would cost money, and the public would not pay the increased price. It would mean that the demand for condensed milk in Auckland would increase to alarming proportions, and it was already

large. Mr. Ainbury said the farmer wanted to supply a pure article, but did not wish, to bo charged at Court when acting honestly. (Applause.) In the spring it would be difficult to produce the new .standard. He believed that, three per cent, would be fail'. He urged the adoption of a three per cent, standard, and a, law to prevent the " break-ing-down" of the milk. The motion was carried. The Chairman then moved: "Thai this meeting of the Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Association, the Milk Suppliers' Association and the Milk Vendors' Association suggests tliat the Government should reduce the period during which the milk from newly-calved cows may not be offered for public consumption to the limit fixed by the Slock Department." He explained that the new regulations made it illegal for milk to be supplied from a cow until 10 days after calving, whereas four was stipulated under the regulations of the Stock Department, and that was ample. Mr. Garland seconded the motion. Mr. E. Hall (secretary of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association) quoted an authority which showed thai as the result of experiments carried out by the British Board of Agriculture it might fairly be assumed that the milk of newly-calved cows might be used for all ordinary purposes at the end of three complete days from calvi ing, provided tho milk was then apparently I normal.

The motion was then carried. It was further resolved that a deputation should -wait on the Prime Minister at 10.30 to-morrow morning.