EXPORT CHEESE

Southland Times, Issue 20794, 7 June 1929, Page 7

EXPORT CHEESE

THE DOMINION PRODUCT

EFFORT TO CANCEL STANDARDIZATION

DAIRYMEN DISCUSS REMIT

(From Our Special Reporter.) Dunedin, June 6,

The ethics of the exportation of standardized cheese were discussed at the South Island Dairy Association Conference to-day when the following remit was considered: “That this conference, being of the opinion that the export of cheese made from partlyskimmed milk will seriously prejudice the goodwill which New Zealand cheese has established in the world’s markets, strongly urges the Minister of Agriculture to have the amending regulations permitting the manufacture of standardized cheese cancell, ed at the earliest possible moment, and that he be requested to instruct the Dairy Division to take steps to ensure that only full-cream cheese is manufactured for export-’’ . . , Speaking on this matter Mr W. E. Gudlim, acting-Director of the Dairy' Division, said that according to the figures of the grading officers the quality' of the product during the past season was the best, on record, and in individual cases it was stated that, there was little to be desired and gave satisfaction to the trade. On the other hand there were blemishes in the average product, and butter and cheese from the Dominion was not completely up to the standard desired. The chief trouble experienced was openness in texture and there were indications that the manufacture was too hurried in some cases. During the past few years a considerable improvement had been shown in regard to finish, and since the new regulations had come into operation a number of factories representing a manufacture of 27,000 tons of cheese had registered as standardized cheese factories. There was little difference between the two types of cheese and there was no doubt both would sell on their merits.

In reply to a question the speaker said that under the British health regulations it was illegal to send separated milk cheese Home as full cream.

Several sneakers contended that, the exportation of standardized cheese would have a less deleterious effect on the popularity of the Dominion product. Professor Ridett said that it was to the advantage of the quality of the cheese that excessive fat should be taken out of the milk. In regard to the possibility of the Dominion cheese products’ popularity becoming impaired as a result of the standardized product being exported he. considered that this was not likely as the consumers purchased cheese on its quality and not on its chemical composition. The chairman, Mr H. J. Middleton, explained that the South Island dairymen were afraid that the new regulations would affect them detrimentally as they would not benefit by increased production as would be the case in the North Island where the average milk test was higher. Dr C. J. Reakes, Director-General of the Department of Agriculture, said he believed that, the producers in the South Island had been unduly afraid in this matter. What the industry would require to consider always was that the quality of the product should be maintained at the highest standard. , . Mr W. A. lorns, chairman of the Dairy Control Board, expressed himself as opposed to the export of standardized cheese, as the British public was opposed to purchasing any article that had been tampered with in manufacture. In Scotland the speaker 'had seen cheese so rich that the fat was bubbling out of it, but he had never heard any complaint. He looked on the system of standardized cheese export as an experiment, but he was not in favour of it. Mr T. A. Winks, Government nominee on the board, remarked that the proof of the . pudding was in the eating. Since the new regulations had come into operation four steamers had reached the Home market with standardized cheese which had sold at the same rate as full cream. The remit was withdrawn.

The conference then considered a remit on the same matter emanating from the Awarua Dairv Factory Company as follows: “That this meeting is in favour of standardized cheese being created as such and with the name of the province in which it is manufactured, the national brand to be eliminated.” The remit was defeated.