LOCAL CHEESE MARKET

Taranaki Daily News, 23 May 1934, Page 6

LOCAL CHEESE MARKET

BETTER QUALITY (REQUIRED SOUTH TARANAKI SUGGESTION. GRADING BY STATE SUGGESTED. The stimulation of a local market for cheese * was considered by the South Taranaki Farmers’ Union yesterday and the following remit from the MokoiaWhakamara branch was carried: “That all dairy produce for local consumption be subject to Government grading.” Mr. L. E. Christie said many grocers could not get good cheese; he had recently been shown a definitely second grade article. With the present staff of the Dairy Division it would be possible to carry out the grading. Only 7 per cent, of New Zealand’s cheese was eaten in New Zealand, so it was natural they should try to extend the market in New Zealand. If a manager had an accident with a vat, getting a bad cheese, the first thing the manager did was to try and sell it on the local market, he alleged. Mr. A. B. Muggeridge, supporting the remit, said the matter came within the scope of the Dairy Commission, so it could be used by whoever gave evidence for the union. Mr. J. S. Tosland supported the motion. The Pihama factory tried to work up a local demand, he said, but met with undercutting from concerns that did not make first quality cheese or butter. The inferior cheeses were foisted on to the market at low prices.