IMPROVING CHEESE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20642, 14 August 1930, Page 9

IMPROVING CHEESE.

POOL PLAN REJECTED. NORTH TARANAKI FACTORIES, MATTER MAY BE REOPENED« [by telegraph.—own correspondent.] NEW PLYMOUTH, Wednesday. The problems facing those who desire to improve the quality of New Zealand cheese by some form of pool and premium were outlined to-day by Mr. J. Hine, actingchairman of the Dairy Produce Board, when addressing over 100 representatives of dairy companies' which export through New Plymouth. Mr. Iline said the trouble was that the industry was divided. South Taranaki was opposed to a Dominion pool and the South Island would have nothing else. A large company in the Waikato objected to any kind of pool until compulsory milk grading was introduced. It had been urged', especially by South Taranaki, that the only alternative was a voluntary pool and the board had agreed that if one were formed its officers would do the" necessary clerical work free of cost. At the various annual meetings of companies ho had noticed that there had been a tendency to minimise the lowering of quality to a great extent, and to say that the position was largely due to a depressed market. This was not so. The board's own manager in London had repeatedly drawn attention to the deplorable state in which some of the cheese was arriving. Whatever the cause, they were faced with the question and it was useless to attempt to minimise .it. At present there were delegations of Finnish and Latvian dairymen in England who were investigating the possibilities and modes of manufacture of cheddar cheese. They would make what the market wanted. They were alive to the fact that New Zealand produce was not in the same condition as it used, to be, and if there was a possible chance they would slip in and try to capture the market. The question was whether the dairy companies were prepared to join in a voluntary pool in an endeavour to improve the quality of cheese. It had been said that if the factories went in for quality they would lose yield, and in that respect compare unfavourably with neighbouring factories. If aIL companies joined the pool that phase would be obviated, for the factories that made the finest cheese would get a premium. There was no doubt that the industry's house had to be put in order. After a lengthy discussion a resolution that a pool be formed in North Taranaki on the same lines as that in South Taranaki was defeated. Very few voted, how,ever, the majority declining to commit their companies without further consideration. It is probable that the question will be opened again.