SCIENCE IN DAIRYING

Taranaki Daily News, 18 November 1933, Page 12

SCIENCE IN DAIRYING

CLASSES AT NEW PLYMOUTH DISCUSSION BY FACTORY MEN. THEIR. DESIRE UNANIMOUS. In connection with the possibility of a dairy laboratory subsidiary to that at Hawera being opened at New Plymouth in the near future, a report, concerning which is published in this issue, a meeting of factory workers interested in the proposed classes for the dissemination of scientific knowledge was held at New Plymouth last night. Mr. L. J. Rundle, deputy-chairman of the Federation of Taranaki Dairy Companies, presided. With him was Mr. P. O. Veale, of the Hawera laboratory, who, in the event of a laboratory being opened at New Plymouth will conduct a class at New Plymouth next year. Mr. Rundle said the man who had no scientific knowledge in the form of a diploma was going to be sadly left. There was no doubt that in the future when a dairy factory board of directors found ’it necessary to appoint a manager a diploma would sway the board’s decision. “If a laboratory and classes are ?o be opened at New Plymouth,” he said, “it is contingent upon the dairy factories subscribing to their upkeep. What I fear and feel for you is that when the ranks of managers need filling you will be without scientific knowledge. You are, in my opinion, in a position to get these jobs' with a full scientific knowledge, where formerly managers could gain only a smattering of knowledge from the factory.” “Some of you,” said Mr. Veale, “may regard this meeting as premature, but a preliminary meeting is necessary. A question of importance at this- meeting is the opening of a laboratory at New Plymouth. “Managership will go to the men with scientific knowledge,” he continued. “When things depart from the beaten track a little knowledge is a great help. A course at Massey College has been beyond the reach of many who have found it impossible to sever family re.lationships to go to Palmerston North. For several, years I have been asked to set up something of the kind, as a substitute for the Massey College course. FOLLOW COLLEGE SYLLABUS. “Our ideas are to follow the Massey College syllabus exactly. The college will recognise our work for the first year in Taranaki. Many in Taranaki look forward to the time when they will be able to get their diploma without going to Massey College. Unity will I give strength. Future work in classes may carry with it a certificate issued in Taranaki. There is no reason ; why we could not give a certificate for three years’ work, and to conduct an annual examination with first-year students qualifying for second and so on is the general idea. “Certificates," he said, “will not be awarded for nothing. There is no reason why you should not arrive at the required standard. The secretary of one of the' largest factories in Taranaki has asked me whether the certificate would be equal to those of Massey College. I said that it would almost be, and he said that would do him. If a man has gone through' the same syllabus as at Massey College there will be few to cavil at the certificate. Some have asked whether directors are likely to be influenced by scientific knowledge. You have heard Mr. Rundle say that they will.

“Scientific knowledge is part and parcel of your efficiency in all the sidelines that go with the post of manager. There may be things in the course which may appear useless, but the knowledge will be useful. Though the Principle of Archimedes may not affect your buttermaking, yet there may be occasions when the knowledge of the principle will be a vast help to you. “The first-year course is given over to physics, chemistry, elementary bacteriology and dairying. Book-keeping is also in the course. The second year goes into organic chemistry, bacteriology, and second-year book-keeping, and in addition there are scientific details of dairying. In the third year the course consists of chemistry and bacteriology, economics and dairy factory engineering, both theoretical and practical. The course will be almost identical with that at Massey College. The only thing lacking will be a model dairy. The loss will not be great, especially as the practical side is the more important. The course is ‘giving science to the man with practical experience.

“We are not seeking to attract those who would go to Massey College, for I do think that the college course would be better. But if you cannot go to the college the Taranaki certificate will be a great help. The dairy factory man

in the 'future without scientific knowledge will be lost in the race for preferment.

“The classes will be conducted in the winter. The course at Hawera was- started in June and July, the men attending in the afternoon and evening. At New Plymouth it might be possible to work by correspondence courses,' with model notes.”

Mr. Looney: Mr. Veale mentioned that classes would be held in the afternoon and therefore anyone working on the coast would have to leave at eleven o’clock. Is any dairy company going to stand for that? Mr. Rundle: Every facility is to be given to the meh attending these classes. There will be no undue hardship. You are the managers of to-morrow, and it is going to be a hard row to hoe. Mr. Veale added that men would get sympathy from directors, and in any there would be no likelihood that the Hawera hours woiild be duplicated. A meeting of a preliminary nature would be called should the New Plymouth laboratory idea reach fruition. Mr. Rundle said he wanted to see the laboratory established at New Plymouth, also a course recognised at Massey College. “I intend to fight,” he said, “for the recognition of the second and thirdyear courses as well as the first at Massey College. The examination board could be sent up here after three years and the full examination set for Taranaki students. “The executive of the federation, continued Mr. Rundle, “is likely to give whole-hearted support to the scheme, and considering that Taranaki exports 41 per cent, of cheese from New Zealand the federation naturally carries some weight. Mr. Thompson, Bell Block, said the men in Massey College were beginners in the dairy -world. It would be impossible for first, second and third assistants and buttermakers not to go to Massey College. He wanted to know whether it would be possible to spread the course over four years instead of three. Mr. Veale said he was in their hands and was open to receive any suggestions in the matter.

Mr. Looney asked whether Mr. Veale would give a definite assurance that the correspondence and lecture classes would both be given. Mr. Veale said that at Hawera, approximately 120 hours had been spent on physics and chemistry, and 60 hours each on bacteriology, general dairying and book-keeping. A show of hands on the question whether full lecture courses should be taken showed nine in favour and 18 in favour of correspondence classes. On the chairman’s asking for a show of hands regarding the number likely to take up the course, the response was unanimous, 35 being present at the meeting.

Mr. Homer asked whether the correspondence class could be taken by those who wanted it and a lecture course by those in a position to do so. Mr. Veale said that correspondence classes would not result in all the work being given in the book. At stated times the classes would come together to take practical work. Mr. Thompson said he took it that the correspondence course would be a good enough test of knowledge.

Mr. Veale said that interim test examinations could be held every four weeks. Mr. Stewart: Are the classes of cheese and butter-makers to. be taken toggether? Mr. Veale: In the first year, yes; but in the second and third year courses, no.