DAIRY LEGISLATION.

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16815, 5 June 1926, Page 8

DAIRY LEGISLATION.

COMPULSORY GRADING OF CREAM. Recently it was announced that an important piece of proposed legislation for the coming session was to be introduced by the Minister of Agriculture, lion. 0. J. Ilawkcu, with the full approval of all sections of Lhc dairying induslry, the measure providing for the enforcement of a difference in payment for cream according lo grade. The proposal wa3 referred lo a gentleman connected with the dairying industry (says a Palmerston paper), Who staled tlml, if given effect to, die measure would have a most beneficial effect on Lhc industry. “When a farmer knows," lie proceeded, “that he will get Id or Id per pound less for second grade cream, whichever figure is adopted, he will take cxlra pains lo gel. first grade.” “Tiie weakness of I lie present system," lie continued, “is that any serious attempt to enforce differential prices in tiie interests of the whole industry lias led to suppliers deserting the more efficient factory for one where grading is not compulsory. The object of the measure is to ensure that no second grade butter will be sent home to England. Our New Zealand butter will, therefore, be a stronger competitor on tiie Home market and will then lie better able to compete with the Daiish produce, although with regard to tiie latter it is generally recognised that our butter is quite on a par, even though it does not at present get its just due. “Any opposition to the measure will come from the farmers whose plant and methods are dirty or from those fanners who are surrounded by circumstances which, despite every rare, prevent their sending away first grade cream."

His own company, tho gentleman interviewed mentioned in conclusion, had recently installed a patent canwashing machine, costing about £350. to ensure that all cream containers were returned lo suppliers in a thoroughly hygienic condition and thereby prevent contamination of the cream and thus help It to get first grade.