DAIRY GRADING

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21041, 17 February 1940, Page 8

DAIRY GRADING

LOWERING OPPOSED NORTH AUCKLAND VIEWS (Special to Times) WHANGAREI, Friday Concern lest pressure from the Waikato should result in any lowering of the grading standard of the New Zealand dairy produce was expressed at a meeting of the Hikurangi Dairy Co-operative directorate. By unanimous decision the board decided to bring the matter before the North Auckland Dairy Conference executive, recommending that any lowering of grading standards be opposed vigorously. The matter arose out of a discussion at the South Auckland Dairy Association’s meeting at Hamilton when the opinion was expressed by speakers that the standard set was too high, and that the question should be investigated by officials of the Dairy Division. The. Hikurangi directors expressed the hope that Waikato would be able to overcome manufacturing problems without the necessity of a scaling down of standards to meet what was regarded as a district difficulty. Over the last few years the quality of butter made in North Auckland had been steadily improving, said the Hikurangi manager, Mr S. J. Wood. In the flush of the season fully 70 per cent, of the output was classed as superfine, thereby qualifying for the h per cwt above the basic finest of 93 points. This sustained betterment was largely attributable, said Mr Wood, to the 100 per cent, zoning of supply areas. In arriving at its decision to oppose any alterations in standard, the directorate was influenced by the fact that for many years the grading of butter by the Department of Agriculture had been accepted by the British trade with every satisfaction and confidence. Purchasers of New Zealand butter had become accustomed to relying invariably on the grade stamp when doing business.