DAIRY CONTROL

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10954, 1 October 1928, Page 2

DAIRY CONTROL

OPERATIONS OF THE BOARD EXTRACTS FROM REPORT. The following extracts from the •fourth annual report of' the Dairy Produce Control Board for the 12 months ended July 31, 1925, make interesting reading. statement of Accounts, The export levy on butter and cheese for the twelve months yielded £33,3/3 8s Id, this, together with interest, oil investments, making a total income of £35,835 18s lid. As indicated in the annual report of 31st July, 1927, the levy was- reduced from l-16d to l-32d per lb on butter and from l-32d to l-64d per lb on cheese. The total expenditure, exclusive of advertising, was £37,527 15s 2d. Of this amount approximately £6,250 will bo non-recurring, as this expenditure was incurred in completing the work of the board under absolute control and in certain readjustment of office accommodation in London. The board, at the commencement of the season, again decided upon an expenditure of £20.000 on advertising. Of this amount £19,979 12s 8d has been expended, the accumulated funds being drawn upon to this extent. MARKET PRICES, It is cheering to note that as a result of negotiations with the Japanese Government the duty on New Zealand butter into that country has been reduced from 6.695 pence per lb to 6.088 pence, putting New Zealand on tile same basis as Canada. The prices on the London market have shown more or less the usual fluctuations although it is safe to say that _ there are indications of a stabilisation of prices. The difference between Australian and New Zealand prices makes an interesting study. While on occasions almost equal, the difference ranged from! 2s to 12s per cwt. No review of the market would be complete' without reference to the number of competitors which New Zealand butter has now to meet in the open market of Great Britain. The cabled weekly reports issued by the board give the market prices for butter from each country and it is worthy of note that the quality of batter coming from many of the competing countries is gradually improving. The arrangement for a large loan from the Union Cold Storage Company in London to the Russian Government, which will undoubtedly to some extent be used for the improvement in quality of dairy produce, will have a bearing on the situation It behoves the producers of New Zealand to use every effort to keep up and improve the standard of quality of butter and cheese. QUALITY. The quality of New Zealand butter has been well maintained. Cheese, however, shows a falling off as compared with the previous year, when the premium for “finest’' was in operation. Some complaints have been received regarding the lack of maturity in our cheese and temperatures for transport and storage are being slightly , increased to remedy this defect. Reports from the market indicate that for finest butter a de finite premium has been established and there is a growing recognition for the finest grade in cheese. On a. slow market buyers are asking for the finest grade.

PARAFFINING OF CHEESE, It is safe to say that an increasing quantity of cheese for export is being paraffined each year The reduction in shrinkage through paraffining is approximately 1 per cent. As sales of cheese on an f.o.b. basis have been subject to a reduction of 2-J per cent for shrinkage, this condition will require to be amended where the cheese is paraffined before shipment. Where cheese is being bought in Great Britain for the purpose of holding for somte time, a distinct preference is being given to paraffined cheese. ADVERTISING. The board allocated £20,000 as -an advertising fund for the past season. The trend ol recent prices would clearly indicate that the advertising policy of the board is bearing fruit. The quality oj New Zealand dairy produce is becoming better known and the demand will gradually increase. MAR INK INSURA MCE. The making of one comprehensive contract of marine insurance for the whole of the export output has resulted in a saving of from £25,000 to £30,000' per annum to the industry. SHIPPING. The board is pleased to be able to report that a general improvement is being manifested in the handling and transport of dairy produce from the time it leaves cool stores in New Zealand till delivered in cool stores in Great Britain. The new vessels coming into the trade have installed special facilities for the carriage of cheese and other chilled cargoes. This should undoubtedly result in reduced claims on the underwriters for damaged cheese. PRODUCTS UNDER VACUUM, A great deal of interest is being taken in the process of packing. A

number of experiments have been carried out and these are being continued. It is yet too early to speak with definiteness as to the result. GIFT BUTTER. The arrangements made by the board whereby gifts of butter can be sent by residents in New Zealand to friends in Great Britain is growing in popularity, as indicated by the following figures: 1926, 1,497 packages of 41bs each in cartons; 1927, 1,913 packages of 41bs each in cartons ; 1928, 2,614 packages of 41bs each in cartons. LONDON SHOW.. As a result of arrangements made by the board a number of entries for tlie 1927 London dairy show was sent forward. The results, so far as cheese is concerned, were most gratifying, being: Edendale (Southland) 1; W. C. Taylor, Ontario, Canada, 2; Hopelands (Hawke’s Bay) 3. The successful factories are to be heartily congratulated on their excellent showing, their success reflecting great credit on their managers and staff. In butter, New Zealand was unplaced. the successful factories being from Queensland (Ist). Manitoba (2nd), and New South Wales (3rd). New Zealand’s non-success is probably due to the time of the year when the show is held, rendering it difficult for New Zealand makers to exhibit their best butter. For 1928 show entries are now going forward and endeavours have been made to minimise, as far as possible, the difficulties in regard to butter.