The Daily News. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1924. DAIRY PRODUCE CONTROL

Taranaki Daily News, 30 September 1924, Page 4

The Daily News. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1924. DAIRY PRODUCE CONTROL

It was only right to give the Dairy Control Board reasonable time wherein to obtain a thorough grasp of the many factors which have a bearing on the success of the industry. In this, as in most undertakings, it is the small matters that frequently are the means of forwarding or retarding success, therefore, it was necessary for the board not only to concern' itself with the main principles -whereon the future of the industry depends, but that it should give due attention to all the lesser matters, so as to start the work of control on sound and progressive lines. Some, impatience may have been exhibited over the advent of definite action by the board towards what it considers is furthering the interests of dairymen from the building up and care of profitable herds, to the actual receipt of the value of the produce by the farmers concerned. Although the board’s control does not actually extend to what may be termed the initial details of the industry, in view of the fact that the only justification for its creation is to enable the producers to successfully meet competition in the world’s markets by placing the highest quality butter 1 and cheese ou sale and receiving the corresponding value therefor, it is obvious that the board must pay elose attention to each and every. detail that in any way affects the industry. There is at last some evidence that the Control Board is at work and exhibiting tangible proof that the period of activity has commenced in earnest. It is to be hoped that before long practical results will convince dairy farmers that the members of the board are animated by a keen desire to be of the utmost possible service to the producers. Naturally they cannot work miracles, but they must, if they are to justify the creation of the board, succeed in organising the industry on sounder business lines, effect savings in handling, transport and marketing, and by placing regular supplies on the overseas markets secure the best possible prices. The raising of the standard of first-class butter and cheese in New Zealand may certainly be regarded as a step in the right direction, as quality is one of the deciding factors in price. It has rightly been contended that the building of a high reputation for quality is of prime importance, and that is a potent reason why the producers should do all in their power to assist the board by raising the quality to a point where it excels the produce of their competitors. It is contended, and rightly so, that the most important of the board’s considerations has had to do with the standard of butter and cheese, as there can be no question that during the past season the quality of butter was not fully maintained by many factories. Such a falling off is disastrous, and no time should be lost in examining the causes and applying the necessary remedies. If the quality

can fairly be judged by some of the factory butter that is retailed in the Dominion there is assuredly considerable room for improvement. It is futile to lay the blame on climatic conditions, for these can and should be overcome by taking the proper measures. One of the chief matters the board has now to handle is that relating to shipping contracts, but as it will have the whole of the Dominion’s dairy produce to deal with, the board has a unique opportunity for making , satisfactory arrangements with the shipping companies both as to freights and regular supplies on the overseas markets. There will probably ‘be general approval of the board’s action in appointing a thoroughly qualified refrigerating engineer to see that shipping conditions during transport are all that can be desired. The suggestion relative to the compulsory grading of cream may possibly cause some trouble in certain quarters, but as the- quality of butter is to be the essence of the whole business, there must be no half measures, and it may safely be taken for granted that if the farmers and the factory staffs do their best to assist the board, they will have good reason to expect benefits that cannot otherwise be secured.