MILK GRADING SYSTEM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21116, 25 February 1932, Page 14

MILK GRADING SYSTEM.

>RACTICAL TRIAL INTENDED. JUDGMENT OF ITS MERITS. ..-MAINTENANCE OF QUALITY. t.B? TELEGRAriT.—-SPECIAL BErORTER.] "Wednesday. The question of introducing milk grading throughout tho dairying industry has been discussed recently between the Minister of Agriculture, tho Hon. C. E. Macmi]lan, and the Dairy. Board, which is wholly in favour of the scheme., and proposals are now under - consideration by the Government for initiating the scheme throughout the Dominion during the remainder of the present season under trial conditions only. "The maintenance of a high standard of quality in our dairy products is a matter of paramount importance to the Dominion," said tho Minister to-day. "In 1926 a system of grading cream with differentia] payments according to quality was instituted in connection with buttermaking, and this, after a minimum of difficulties in practice which were quickly and satisfactorily overcome, has since worked smoothly and well, and with great benefit to the industry. "For some time the industry has discussed tlfe question of establishing a system of grading milk for cheese-making, but there has not been absoluto unanimity upon it in the North Island. This is not due to any doubt, as to the soundness of the proposal, but rather to tho apprehension that if differential payments according to grade were instituted, suppliers discontented on account of their milk being graded below first quality would cease to supply tho cheese factory concerned and would instead separate their cream and send it to a butter factory. But should individuals take this course, their cream would be subjected to grading, and to differential payment according to grade. "Milk-grading has to be conducted on a method differing from that in use with cream and a simple test has been evolved for use which in practice should prove satisfactory both to suppliers and to factory managers. There is no intention of making compulsory any differential payments to suppliers as a result of grading or of doing anything more than to give the system a trial under practical working conditions. - *'This will, on the one hand, enable both suppliers and factory managers to form their own opinions as to the merits of the system under conditions which cannot detrimentally affect• anyone, and on the other hand, furnish a practical illustration of how milk grading would work if, after full consideration, it is put into operation next season in complete form."