QUALITY OF CHEESE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20628, 29 July 1930, Page 11

QUALITY OF CHEESE.

dairymen dissatisfied.

CRITICISM OF DECISION.

INVESTIGATION SOUGHT*

[by telegraph—mess association.]

lIAWEI?A, Monday

At a meeting to-day of about 90 delegates from the Taranaki Federation of

Co-operative Dairy Factories strong criticism was expressed of the Dairy Division and of tho attitude of the director, Mr. W. M. Singleton, to tho report on cheese quality presented recently by Mr. P. O. Vealo, research chemist to tho fedcra-

The delegates gave unanimous approval to a suggestion that tho Minister of Agriculture, tho Hon. A. J. Murdoch, be requested to set up a committee of investigation concerning questions of importance to the dairy industry. Mr. .T. R. Corrigan, a member of tins executive of the federation and of tho New Zealand Dairy Board, opened the discussion with the opinion that it was time dairymen found out where they were in the industry. 110 expressed his belief that all those at the recent Hamilton conference must have been very disappointed in the reports received there on checso quality.

" I was disgusted," ho said, " when expecting to hear an address from Mr. Singleton at Hamilton on cheese quality, that ho confined his remarks mainly to Mr. Vealc's report and to a severe criticism of it. Mr. Vealo compiled his report at the federation's instructions. We went through it in detail before giving it out for publication, and realised tho necessity to do so, because we were dissatisfied with the industry at the moment. " Mr. Singleton took tho report as an attack on the Dairy Division, but that was not the intention of the federation. Mr. Singleton attacked tho report and the federation. It was necessary to have tho federation when it was formed. It ii very necessary now, even although the Dairy Division may still regard it as a slur.

" We have practically no co-ordination with tho Department of Agriculture and tho Dairy Division, but are looked upon as more or less outcasts. Apparently tho Dairv Division has no confidence in tho federation. Lack of Co-ordination. " I think tho federation has done more to help to solvo the problems of tho industry than anyone else. I also think that it is time to try to get somo coordination of interest, both on tho scientific and (he manufacturing sido of the industry, but under existing circumstances we are getting nowhere. " Mr. Singleton left the impression on tho conference that he and his assistants knew the last word in cheese manufacture, and that our scientist knew nothing. If what ho said was correct, why is not the industry given that information ? Mr. Corrigan' concluded his remarks amid applauso and he then moved: —that, this federation asks the Minister of Agriculture to set up a. committee to be selected from tho dairy industry and to include a factory manager, to investigate (lie following questions: —

(1) How a system can be brought about whereby better co-ordination will exist between the. Dairy Division and the scientific organisations existing in the Dominion. (2) Whether the division through its inslructors is imparting the best knowledge it possesses to the dairy factories of the Dominion. (3) Whether our grading system in regard to cheese could not be very materially improved. (4) The effect on cheese quality of tho Arbitration Court award. (5) Whether on tho score of economy, jseeing that Massey College has established a scientific department, tho Wallaccvillo laboratory, having outlived its usefulness, should be dispensed with. Attitude ol Department.

Mr. .1. Cocker (Eltham) seconded the resolution." lie said lie had the opinion that tho Dairy Division was not a leader, but was a very good follower. Mr. J. Marchant (Cardiff): If we could get more assistance from tho department, instead of tho hostility that Mr. Singleton has shown us. we might do much more to improve tho industry. A delegate said it was a great pity that Mr. Singleton was not there to defend himself. " There is no slur on Mr. Singleton," said Mr. Corrigan. " What I proposed was in eifect to ask the Minister of Agriculture to form a committee to study the problems of the industry." Tho Chairman, Mr. T. A. Winks: 1 do think it regrettable that Mr. Singleton did take the action he took at Hamilton in criticising tho federation and the scientist. Tho resolutions were carried unanimously.