DAIRYING OUTLOOK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19742, 15 September 1927, Page 14

DAIRYING OUTLOOK.

MANAGERS' CONFERENCE.

SEASON'S BRIGHT PROMISE

IMPROVING THE GRADE.

INCREASE IN PRODUCTION

Mauy matters concerning the dairy industry were discussed at the twenty-third annual Auckland provincial conference of the Factory Managers* Association, held yesterday at the King's Wharf grading 6tores. Mr. R. Harris, of Waitoa, Auckland district president of the New Zealand Dairy Factory Managers' Association, who presided, welcomed the delegates, and expressed regret at the illness of Mr. A. A. Thornton,' chief Government grader in Auckland. Reviewing the conference agenda, he said among matters of importance were the proposal to consider the formation of an All New Zealand Guild, the question of honorary membership, and the revival of the proposal which lapsed last year to conduct a conference on scientific research. The admission as association members of first assistants was also to be d'-scussed. Mr. J. P. Stuart, acting-chief Government grad er ,n Auckland, in the absence #f Mr. Thornton, extended a welcome on behali oi the Auckland branch of the Dairy Division.

An Optimistic Outlook. Mr. J. O'Dea, ot Wellington, North Island supervising grader, apologised for the absence of Mr. W. M. Singleton, director of the Dairy Division. Although the present dairy season commenced early, he said, the quality of produce was only fair and 'not. quite up to that of the corresponding period of 1926 Weather had been the responsible factor. But production had started well with an increase throughout New Zealand of 36 per cent, in butter and 60 per cent, in cheese last year. Dairymen of the Dominion were faced with bright seasonal prospects, he said. Prices were good, and it appeared that the industry was about to " turn the corner, / about which so much had oeen heard." A motion expressing sympathy with Mr. Thornton in his indisposition and conveying to him the regards of tne conference was carried. Maintaining the Standard. Mr. A. M. Stirling (Morrinsville) sought opinions on the practice of warning suppliers when they were on the borderline of the required standard of creain quality, but withholding the imposition of the penalty until they had been three times below the mark. Usually, he found, a supplier unconsciously allowed his grade to fall and would quickly remedy the defect. The chairman said it seemed only fair that, suppliers should be warned before they were penalised. Mr. O'Dea: The legulations are there and wa..expect you to enforce them with discretion. Where a supplier sends in a small quantity of cream under standard he can quite well h'r warned before he is penalised. Regarding the necessity for branding New Zealand export butter boxes " uonpreservatised," Mr. O'Dea said there had been recent requests from Home for non preservatisod butter. Although it was fairly :;well known now that few factories in New Zealand nsed preservatives, and that there would be none after January 1, 1928, it was as well to brand. Pointers in Cheese Making. Complaints from London about the weight of wax and bandages used on cheese ■ occasioned discussion. Mr. J Murray (Hamilton) emphasised the necessity for waxing cheese only when properly dry. Mr. O'Dea concurred, saying waxing in the autumn could well be delayed for some weeks. Mr. W. C. Dixon (Hamilton) said excess of fat often saturated cheese bandages, making them' weighty Among causes advanced for openness of cheese were failure to sterilise pipe lines., a feature upon wnich Mr. Murray spoke at some length.

Carrying whey home in milk cans, said Mr. O'Dea, had been a factor, but it was often difficult for a firmer to carry home his whey in any other way. Mr. Stuart emphasised the desirability of neatness in appearance cf butter boxes and packing of butter. All boxes should bear the chiming date, without which far more extensive grading work was involved Insufficient air space in cheese crates and burst bandages were two salient defects met with in grading. Notice of motion was given that associa tion members who have been appointed to higher positions in the industry should retain their membership status. Mr. W. Wright, editor of the New Zea land Dairyman, was appointed to represent the association at the world's dairy congress to be held in London next year , A Grading Competition. A proposal that factory managers should link up in an All-New Zealand Guild, as opposed to the unions which had been formed in Otago and Southland, was deferred for consideration at a special meeting. A butter grading competition he-Id in the afternoon was won by A. Garry <N ga ruawania). I Campbell (Maungaiuroto) was second, snd P. C. Petersen (Cambridge) and J Murray (Hamilton) tied for third place. In the cheese grading competition J. Blake (Waiuku) an' A. Baird (East Tam3ki) tied "or first place, D. R. Anderson (Aka Akrv) being next.