NEW DAIRY REGULATIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 August 1930, Page 8

NEW DAIRY REGULATIONS.

There is nothing revolutionary about the amendments to the Dairy Regulations gazetted this week. They follow the lines suggested by the. Director of the Dairy Division, Mr. W. M. Singleton, on his return from a visit to Canada and Great Britain, and generally approved by the leaders of the industry. They are intended to assist in improving the quality of the Dominion’s e. .ports, and therefore are welcome. The fact that the authorities discussed the proposed regulations with those who will work under them before bringing the new rules into force should make for smooth running, and therefore enhance Che likelihood of good results accruing. Nor are the alterations confined solely to production and manufacture. Experience has shown the department the necessity for improvement in the grading system in regard to cheese, and a rearrangement of the points allotted has been made, obviously with the idea of overcoming the openness in cheese of which there have been so many complaints. Conditions' in regard to milking machines and their equipment are tightened up, and as the foundation of good butter or cheese must be satisfactory raw material there will be few who will cavil at stricter supervision in the milking shed. Carelessness there affects the good as well as the indifferent supplier, and it is generally admitted that some compulsory powers are necessary in dealing with refractory individuals/ though the fact that the powers exist may make it unnecessary to invoke them very frequently. Care in the storage of milk and cream is also to be insisted upon, and in this regard also the. new regulations but emphasise the advice given by practically every factory directorate to its suppliers. The salting of butter is put upon a definite basis,- and the export of “modified,” in other words second-class, cheese will no Longer be permitted. Both these changes will have the support of the industry and should prevent opportunities for adverse comment upon New Zealand products. As with most official regulations, much will depend upon the way the amended rules are administered. If they are introduced tactfully the benefit to the industry they should bring about should reduce the need for compulsory measures to a minimum. But for the sake of the industry there must be no hesitation' in the exercise of authority should persuasion fail.