NATIONAL DAIRY ASSOCIATION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 188, 27 July 1900, Page 2

NATIONAL DAIRY ASSOCIATION.

(Continued from yesterday.) t £ ' ir INSPECTION OF DAIRY HERDS AND C( SHEDS. a (Address By Mk, J. T. Lang.) Mr. Lang (who was well received) j, said that the matter of inspecting dairy n iierds and milking sheds was one that n be had advocated for a number of yean; ind in bis small way had endeavoured s to inaugurate a proper inspect on. lie j was pleased to say that tho Department c bad also considered it a desirable thing, but they were very dilatory over the j matter, although some time ago they , decided to go into the subject. Many ] farmers might object to the visits of an j Inspector, but if ho were of the right c sort there was no doubt tbey would be ( pleased to see him. Those who knew j little about the proper treatment of cows required educating, and that j should be the aim of an Inspector. It t was not the duty of Inspectors to order this or that to be done, but to point , out what improvements wore desirable \ and to give reasons for their suggestions whenever asked to do so. lie , had himself done work of this soit under Mr. MacEwan when he was chief of the staff, and though he had only made one round of visits he had generally been received in a nice manner, though not always with open arms. He had pointed out what was wrong and the hints had been taken. There was always a lot of things to bo done in a new district in the way of improvements. In a great many cases he tumid ! that after the cows were milked the milk was left either in or near to the cow bails, and when that milk arrived at the factory it was not in a propter A great deal had been said about managers grading the milk, but it was out of the question. They had no time to do so, but if they found any milk sent in was not clean they might leave, say, two gallons at the bottom of the can and the suppliers would lose that, and if they asked the reason, the reply would be that the milk could not be taken because of the dirt at tho bottom. It was absolutely necessary that there should be a thorough inspection of dairy herds and sheds. For instance, supposing that the chairman and himself were supplying milk—the chairman's points being 4 and his own 3, it might just as well be contended that they should both be paid alike that one whesj milk was dirty should be paid the same price as another whose milk was clean, H very supplier shoula be compelled to bring his milk in goud and sound condition. The benefit of inspection had been proved at the D.ilefield Factory, where they appointed their own inspector, with tho resun that after a few years their cheese wat. in the forefront and had remained there. If milk were not delivered ii. good condition it was no use locking for a tine product, Mr. lluddick hau said that he could never see his my to advocate tne appointment of inspic:,urr, but he (Mr. Lang) could not see wh\ there should be any hesitation in th matter. Three or four rounds of inspection a year would suffice, mid tin work could be accomplished by tn. present staff of Stock Inspectors, It keeping the night's milk, especially 11 summer, at a factory where the milk i> delivered twice a day, was a very reprehensible practice, there being no time vats to be aire, but only' to be washed. Th. inspection of dairy herds would coma under the same i ategory as that of milking sheds, and should be carried out by the Stock Inspectors, He lmu come across several cases where milk from certain cows should not have been delivered, and in one case the factory could have been condemned. The cow.from which some of the milk was taken were suffering from cow pox, and matter and blood from them dropped into the milk. This was very reprehensible, and proved the necessity ol inspection. If it got abroad that this uncleanliness existed great injury would be caused to the industry. Ho had also known cases.of typhoid fever in the families of milk suppliers. All these were cases for inspection. Itwould not do for managers to relax their vigilance for a moment. As to cans, he found at almost every creamery and factory that some of the c ins were in a very filthy state, and it was evident that the suppliers had not taken the trouble to wash them out with boiling water and soda. As tho buckets were only rinsed with cold water, ho concluded the cans wero treated the same. Ho was sorry to say a great many tinsmiths did not finish off the cans as they should; very frequently the seams wore insufficiently soldered, but, possibly, the makers were not altogether to blame, as a cheap article was demanded, hence tho scamping of the work. Ho would leave the discussion which ho trusted would follow on his remarks to bring out other points, and he would bo happy to answer any questions that might be put. (Applause.) Mr. Fry day said that as to cans it was not a question of price, as they had to pay a good sum—more th'in they ought—but tho difficulty was in i obt uuing a first-rate article, Mr. Thomas objected to Government Inspectors. He was willing to be taught, but protested against finding the money to pay an Inspector to order him to do this and that.

Mr. Lang replied. Mr. Dingle said the Government Inspectors travelled about the main roads on bicycles and the settlers on the back roads were left to themselves. The system in vogue at Kaponga vvoiked well; it rested with the factories to say whether tho milk was clean or not. One point, ho said, had not been touched upon, and that was tho necessity for covering the cans and protecting them while standing in the sun. He urged that every supplier should be compelled to provide covers. In the agreement with tho Kaponga suppliers this was stipulated for, but not thoroughly cnfirced, though it was intended to do so. He thought that tho quarterly visits of Government Inspectors would leave plenty of time in between each visit for cases of cowpox aud fever to take place. It would he a far bettor plan if the companies looked into the matter themselves; there would bs less expense, and it would be more effective.

Mr. Thomas brought up tho question of shelter for eat.tlo, «nd stated that he y/ould have planted sholttt ureas {na-

self, but he knew that overy tree he put' in would iacreiiße his rates. He contended that the Government should induce people to plant, and not dig courage them in so doing.. There was I more in it than appeared on tho surface, and the absence of shelter was cruelty to the cows. He thought that ho deserved three months' imprisonment for the cruelty, and the Government twelve months. (Loud laughter.)

Mr. Gane considered it dishonest for suppliers to take dirty milk to the factory, and thus rob those who brought clean milk thjre. Ho advocated appointing one of their own men ae inspector, and thought it could be arranged to tako turn and turn about. Ho was aware that a great many suppliers did not take sufficient care, and as they said they got as much withou! takiug cars as if they did, their carelessness was not ta bo wondorotl at. j Mr. Young udveeated Government inspectors, but considered tho fuctoi ies uhould have a voico in their selection. Mr. Fryday inquired what sort of a stock, yard was recommended. (Laughter.)

Mr. Lang replied that there were several sorts —blocks, slabs—(a voice: Mud!)—burnt clay, etc. At this stage, the Chairman road a letter from tho Wairarapa Factory, suggesting that in any resolution tLa'. might bo passed relative to the taxation of factories, it would be advisable to ask for a rebato, as Mr. Duncan had stated that a sum would be placed on the Estimates for this purpose, in case the Depaitincnt would cot disgorge. The Chairman alio stated that Mr, Wilford weu'd not be allowed to proceed with his Bill, as it would be taken ia hand by the Government. A telegram from Mr. Ritchie was also read to the same effect. ' THANKS TO MB, RITCHIE, The Chairman moved:—" That this Association desires to express its appreciation of the work done by the Government on behalf of the dairying industry in this colony; and in this connection especially wish to express its thanks to Mr. J. H Ritchie, Secretary for Agriculture, for the manner in which, and tbe interest he has taken in inaugurating the work of instruction, grading, free freezing and general improvements in our produce ' The motion was carried with great enthusiasm. REFUND OP TAX ON FACTORIES, On the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr. Dingle, it was unanimously resolved—"That the attention of the Minister of Agriculture be called to tho fact that several Co-operative Dairy Companies have already paid ineoms tax on last year'd returns, and it' the Land and Income Tax Department decline to refund these amounts ae be requested to 'place a sufficient ■urn on the supplementary estimates to reimburse tho Dairy Companies the irnount paid to tho Income Tax Department, and that a copy of this reijlution and tho previous ona bo forvarded to tuo Hon. T. Y. Duhcan,"

OUIt MAIiKEIS. Mi'. J . B, MacEwan, iu dealing will tl.'e subject of" Our Markets," said that overyone recognised that Great Britain .viia the great central market and the bulwark of the trade. Tlio question ol .vhat was most suitable for that nmiki t Had been one that occasioned much dis- » jussion. T'ie Department and tht i Dairy Commissioner had been trying m improve and elevate the standard ol • iairy produce, so as to biing aboul larger returns. The result, so far, was my pleasing, but the top had not yet oeen reached, thore being still room for improvement in the quality and in [joint of uniformity. Australia was one uf their natural markets, as at certain times of the year it did not pay to ship to Groat Britain. It was a grout advantage to have a subsidiary market, and, frem a dairying standpoint, it would be beneficial to have Federation. A statesman generally gpasidered what was best for the future interests of the industries of his country, and ho (Mr. MacEivan) bolieved that as oxportorg the dairymen of New Zealand were directly interested in and would be , benefited by joining the federation movement. The Australian market , was one, of the best for cheese, only more limited than Great Britain. They would have been unable to wind up one of the best seasons on record if Australia had not taken their produce. There was a regular output there at high rates, and New Zealand cheese was better and more favourably known there than it was two years ago. Owing to climatic conditions they could not make, as good cheese there as here. In Victoria, .owing to the high duty the market was limited, as the great consuming class of cheese could not paymore than a limited price. If a prohibitive tariff was instituted New Zealand cheese would bo shut out from Australia. Butter was on a different footing, as climatic conditions did not apply, owing to artificial moans being available for keeping purposes; but it was a mat-tor of history that, periodically, Australia required a largo supply of our butter. He regretted that droughts should occur, but when they ,ilid it opened up a good market at high prices, and ho adduced several cogent arguments in favour of Federation, in order that Now Zealand might not bo shut out from the benefits of the Aus-1 tralian trade. In drawing attention i to South Africa as a market, Mr. MacEwan said one of tho greatest: drawbacks was tho shipping arrange-' munts, Australia being able, owing to; direct shipment, to supply at 2d per ib. j cheaper. Although tho Premier hud i stated at Dunediu that arraugeiiumts: would be made for a regular monthly shipping servico to South Africa, it had not been carriod out. Tie question of opening up a market iu tho East was one that might well occupy tho attention of tho association. Australia was already pushing business in that direction, and it would bo well for tho association to gather as much information on the matter as possible. (Appiauso) ' Mr. 13 tat tip stated that the Aesoeintion had already been in communication ; with Japan and China. From the replies received it appeared that the ' mirkot in Japan was small (thoy Wfr.t ' at present receiving butter iu tins), mid ! in China thero was only a liinitid do- . tnand, If direct shipment could ho 1 obtained no doubt a certain amount cf j u ad« c,iu!d bo dune. j Mr. John Holmoj gavo a very follji statement oE the possibilities of the <«• <

•ension of trade in the northern put! if England and in Scotland, giving a groat deal of useful and interwtirg» ™ information to the meeting on the [Subject,

CO OPEBATIV* FACTORIES. Mr. D. J. McGowan read a very interesting paper, in which be pointedk* out the advantages of luppliers operating. Where, he said, there wSP »ot a sufficient number to establish a factory they should join an outlying skimming station. Not only would their union mean strength, bat the cost of manufacture would be lesa, and hey would be in a better position to build and equip a proper factory, ob» tain mote efficient managers, (hoe :ecuro better prices. In starting a COoperative factory he advised that the share capital should be more than auffi* cient to cover the fiist coat. There was no occasion to allot mote abuts Uinn was required, the remainder being ail 1 in reserve for future improvements, extension, and better machinery for extracting more batter fat or saving cost. The selection of a site was.a very important matter. In the first place it should be at central ta possible*, but if no eligible eiti waa available in a central position it would be better for the suppliers to cart the milk one or two miles farther thin have the factory in an unsuitable plaos. The next consideration waa a plentiful supply of good water, and he advieed that a good deep well should be eunk t as good water was quite as essential aa good milk. Oare should be taken altt to ensure good drainage. It wm surprising, said Mr. MoGowtn, that in Taranaki moro use waa not made cI water as a motor power, inetead ot depending on steam, which would effect ; a saving of from 30 to 50 per cent. Another point waa that the site for a faotory should always be chosen with a i view to the gravitation system, and the butter room should face the eoutb, to as to* be protected from the mid-day sun, and should be on % lower level > than the separating room, thus m* i vr nting the hotter and oily «twM>yknn of the latter room from penetrating to i the former, whereby considerableinjaiy i was avoided. The mtohinety ilwy , not be too large, but of sufficient wpa* ■ city for the work to be don*, and the cream should never be elevated. Tbe ; buildings should be entrusted to an arcbiteot well posted up in dairy work. Unfortunately, in many cases large sums had been wasted in alteration* ! and additions consequent on injudicious , expenditure when buildings wen [ erected. There had been same cuee , where the supervisor omployed bad sol > I been sufficiently competent to under* I Cake tbe erection of a cbiekcn caop, but > as the servicee of exports weie now , available, there was no excuse for em- ; plo/ing incompetent men. The work* , ing rooms should be well ventilated! , airy, and properly lighted, and tbe . boiler room, especially in butter fao- . Tories, should be detached, a good air . apace intervening, With regard to the plant, it should be and .here should be spare power. Tbe sepaiatjra should be of tbe moat ap* » proved type and of sufficient capacity. - A butter fidory that oculd de without t > a freezing apparatus must, be J favourably placed. No amoant^^Hl f freezing would improve the butter t it was made. With reference to wad3^^^| - few propiietors realised that n labour was employed, but i assure them thai it would pay 1 the pay and eetu.e good t prietors and directors were losing s times over by not having proper equip* t nicctß and paying good wages. (ip< i plause.) VOTES or TBANKS. 3 On the motion of Mr. Morton, i hparty vote of thanks was ' Mr. McGowan for his able and inetiuo-^^H > tive address, Mr. Morton adding that i ho would like to see the paper printed. ; A hoarly vote of thanke was also ■ passed to Messrs. Ling and MacEwan, ; and aliiotj Mr. Holmes. i Tbe Chairman, in announcing the conclusion of tho business, thanked all i pie.-cnt for tbeir attendance, and exi pressed a hops that the meetings of the J i Association would increase in favour i and tend to the benefit of tbe dairy in* ; dustry.

On the motion of Mr. Dingle a hearty vote of thanks wu aooorded to the chairman and the Executive of the Association and acknowledged by Mr. Harkneea and Mr. Boattie. A vote of thanks, oourteously proposed by Mr. McGowan, to the "silent contingent "—the Press—brought one of the most interesting and successful meetings of the Association to a satisfactory conclusion.