DAIRY PRODUCE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 209, 4 September 1934, Page 9

DAIRY PRODUCE

THE TRANSPORT PROBLEM ACTIVITIES OF THE BOARD. INSPECTION OF SHIPPING. "The work of shipping .inspector has been continued throughout the year, and close attention given to all sections of transport." states the annual report of the New Zealand Dairy Produce Board. "The aim has been to prevent any deterioration of the produce either before or subsequent to shipment. The methods adopted by certain sections of those who handle the produce on the waterfront lias been responsible on occasions for delays and undue rise in temperatures. Another contributing factor in this direction has been the tendency to order from cool stores to be delivered to the ship, quantities greater than qan be handled with despatch. The board’s officers give the closest supervision to the handling with a view to minimising delays and careless handling. "The problem of an adequate supply of suitable railway wagons for the transport of dairy produce, in particular cooled or frozen produce, has come ( in for a good deal of attention during the season. Investigations have shown that whilst the gross tonnage of dairy produce has increased during the last 10 years by 100 per cent, and meat by 62 per cent., the supply of suitable railway wagons lias increased by less ' than 20 per cent. A conference of re presentatives of the . board, freezing companies and shipping companies was held with the General Manager of the railways, and the question fully discussed. We feel certain that as a result and in spite of their own 'peculiar difficulties, the Railway Department will bring about an improvement, in this connection. ‘ ‘ This season saw the inauguration of the Blue Star Line in the transport of refrigerated cargo from the Dominion. A number of this company’s vessels were built for the South American chilled meat transpart, and have holds of approximately 6ft. Din. an height, so that no walking over any class of cargo is necessary, and due to the limited height no crushing occurs. The m.v. Port Chalmers made her maiden voyage this season, and is well designed fr refrigerated cargoes. Additional refrigerated space has been provided in other vessels by the insulation of holds primarily intended for general cargo. ‘ ‘ For some years the Board has been urging a trial of carrying cheese athwartship in those vessels where the air circulation is athwartship, and a. trial of this altered system of stowage was recently made with excellent results. The board’s inspectors have found it necessary on occasaons to urge the necessity for greater care in keeping the packages. clean at some of the outposts, and in transit to grading stores. All concerned have shown a readiness to co-operate which is much appreciated. The complaint of "fruit taint" in butter has been more frequent in past years, and this problem has been closely investigated during the past season and steps taken which should entirely obviate further trouble.