DAIRY REGULATIONS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21520, 17 June 1933, Page 15

DAIRY REGULATIONS

Sir, —In Thursday's Hkrald a correspondent signing himself "Farmer," says, "Unfortunately the dairy farmers have no voice in matters affecting their well-being." This is lamentably true; the farmer has become as docile as the cow he milks, while dairy and factory officials approach our politicians and have regulations passed which bind the farmer to deliver hi 3 cream and milk not later than half-past nine o'clock, and also bind him to supply the one factory, no matter what treatment he receives. The dairy farmers were not consulted about the new regulations, but it is worthy of note that the factory managers were to bo consulted by the powers that be, in order to find o.it whether they were agreeable to factory managers being licensed for efficiency". What a farce! "Farmer" also savs," "Why not strike nt the cause ol the 'production of inferior butter and | cheese," and then ho shunts all the blame on the dirty and careless farmer. Well, I think the time has arrived to lav the blame where it mainly belongs, | whether it is on the . farmer or the j result of faulty manufacture. There has ■ been considerable talk about the need ; for improved farm methods, and col- . limns written about our cream grading j for butter-making, but after all the j careful grading the cream is all mixed, j neutralised, and pasteurised, and the result is a mixture which anyone with experience would not call good butter. Then we wonder why the Danes get top price for their product and why we take considerably less for ours. J admit this method of butter-making is the result of mass production methods so popular to-day. But is it wise? The Australians, 1 believe, held a commission to inquire into the whole system of dairying in Australia, and I feel confident New Zealand would improve her dairy produce considerably if the Government held a Parliamentary commission to go fully into the method of manufacture, from farm to factory. Faibplay.