MILK V. BEER.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 2789, 28 May 1921, Page 7

MILK V. BEER.

(By G. Thomson If-H.S., Kd. ; X iD.D. in HanseiVts Daily Bulletin.

There is a hustle in the Dairy haziness. The British ikiiin; >cujson is now opening. Factories are wondering what the new season i.s to bring forth in the way of prices. One mu 9 be very careful to predict, notwit hsanding the advantages. .of statistics. and the fact. that the Colonial season is ending. Personally speaking, i have no fear for the British cheese industry, that is to say, I do not anticipate destructive prices. A drop will come, but it is certainly not going to upset us. More concentration on the milk prices is needed. There is a keen- demand to-day Tor choice cheese, particularly high grade Cheshire, iu fact there is a famine in this quality, and prices arc high. Cheddars made with rather much Starter, aiul at high temperatures, are not appealing to the public taste at present, and taste must be (studied, no matter wliat the feeling of the maker may be. One thing is certain, no manufacturer can dictate to the public wliat should be- jireferred in the way of cliec-se. It is a fact of the first importance that quality is counting to-day in pressed cheese, and this is very encouraging. Dad cheese is not creditable to the industry, and not wanted by the public. 4 •Camouflaged” cheese is also irot desired by the consumer. It is a pity that so much is sold in an open flagrant manner. This is hurtful to tile industry by discouraging the consumption of cheese. "We are cooing to the public to drink more milk stud eat more che-esp, and the public toll us to put our own house In order first. Xo one lias a- right to grumble at this: demand. But lam an optimist. A great change is coming oyer the Dairying Industry, and why? The education of the public in the virtues of milk and dairy produce is n,t hand, and the demand for hottest milk and honest dairy product*, will work far-reaching changes. At tills stage lot us make a simple food comparison. First of all, what is milk? It is t.ho finest food known, to civilisation. What 'is beer? To-day it is a luxury for the rich only? Yet the manufacture of beer in Great Britain is Whole towns are given over to it, and-many millions of pounds are invested in breweries and licensed houtses. Is it a chca-p drink? No, .it is a very expensive luxury, and E repeat lor the rich only. Go into a bar and a«k for a pint bottle of beer. You throw down, your money pleasantly, and wait- until the bottle «is decanted for you. You risk the sanitary honesty of the glass You do no object to.the dregs remaining with the publican fts. well as a proportion of the drinkable beer. You silently wait until the froth subsides, and might T ask, what do have to drink for 8-£d or 9d? It is one of the poorest investments on the food market. Would it not be better for the. milk bottle to replace the beer l/ottle in the home of the consumer? : at least to a greater extent. Doubtless we all agree that it would, and education. 'is going far to help to bring it about. I again repeat that 1 am a milk and Dairy produce opiuiist.