AUCKLAND DAIRYING CONFERENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2027, 12 March 1907, Page 4

AUCKLAND DAIRYING CONFERENCE.

Tho conference of dairy' factory managers, officials connected with tho Government Dniryiug Department, anti others intorostod in tho dairying industry, which was hold in Auckland last wook (states tho N.Z. Horald), provided a largo amount of valuable discussion and practical information. Doing ns it was largoly composed of factory managers and exports, it was natural that many of tho subjects wore too technical and sciontilic to bo interesting to tho gonoral reader. Such questions ns pasteurisation, starters, and tests aro for tho manufacturer, but tlioro were dealt with such matters as milk supplies, cleanliness, and inspection of dairies. This latter subject wo are pleased to say received a largo amount of attention, and on tho motion of Mr IV. Sprngg it was resolved that tho conforonce request tho Minister for Agriculture to appoint a number of qualified milk inspectors, with power to forbid tho sale or purchnso of milk unfit for dairy manufacturing purposes. This is a step which wo liavo advocated for a long time, and wo congratulate tho conference on its boldness in advocating it in such a practical fashion. It is a reform which aims, as all refoims should do, at tho very root of tho question. Given good milk, tho factory manager will bo relieved irom many of tlio difficulties which are discussed at all dairying conferences. Tlioro is no reason why in this country, even in spito of bad roads, faulty communication, and long distances, good milk should not bo produced and delivered at tho factory in good condition. All that is required is good cows and good feeding, and in tho milking care and cleanliness. Tho causes of bad milk as a rule aro to bo found in carelessness, dirtiness, ignorance, or indifference, and these faults can only be dealt with by education and legislation. Both Mr Spragg and Mr J. R. Scott, who supportod tho principle of compulsory inspection, liavo had exceptional opportunities for forming sound opinions on this subject. Mr Spragg is at tho head of an association which deals with vast quantities of milk and largo numbers of suppliers yearly. Mr J. It. Scott is secretary of tho South Island Dairy Association, and has had close oxporionco with tho dairying in dustry almost over since its inception. Neither of thorn are moil to ofTer an opinion lightly, and when they recommend compulsory inspection tho farmers of this country can believe that it is in tho real interests of dairying, and the Government or tho Agricultural Department must realise that tlio time has come to act in this direction.

Tho remarks made by Mr D. Cuddio, tho Government Dairy Commissioner, at tho opening of tho conference, show how important an industry the manufacture of butter is becoming in tho Auckland province and how it is growing. A little over 10 years ago (said Mr Cuddio) 232 tons of butter wore graded in Auckland in one season, while last year the quantity amounted to 4935 tons, and already during tho present season (with two months to make it complete) no less than 5226 tons had been handled. Some people once had the idea that the best butter could not bo produced in the North, but that had been falsified, and experience showed that the best butter made in the North was equal to tho best made in the southern parts of New Zealand. At tho same time there was still plenty of room for improvement in the butter supplied from Auckland, as well as from all parts of the colony. It was pleasing to soo that the quantity of second-grade butter was diminishing; last year it amounted to the low percentage of 2.15, while four years prior to that it was 4-f per cent. There was, however, too much butter just creeping through the first grade standard, 88 points, which was not satisfactory to the producer, the purchaser, or tho factory manager. Getting through with 88 points meant that the maker had received the benefit of the doubt, and he should make an effort to improvo on that position. It is not, as Mr Cuddie significantly points out, the small proportion of second-class butter that we have to fear, but the largo proportion of first-grade butter which is not so good as it should be. It is possible, of course, to lift tlio standard of what is considered our best butter —that is, butter which would now be accorded the full hundred points i y tho Government grader could be improved on. This may bo a question of the future. Tho present problem is to lift all Now Zealand butters to the rank of our best. It would certainly be to the benefit of New Zoaland if all butter passed through our grading stores as firstclass went no lower than 98 points, and this should bo an ideal to work up to. New Zealand will never reach that high position on tho oversea markets until the general average of quality is lifted, and tho practical and pecuniary advantages in doing this aro so groat that every effort should bo made to bring it about. Pasteurisation, starters, refrigeration, cleanliness, skill in. manufacture are all important in their way; but undoubtedly the greatest thing to be done and tho first thing to bo done is to assure a regular supply of highgrade milk. If this is not available, as we pointed out before, no amount of care or expensive machinery will make up in the quality of butter. Given a good supply of good milk, and it is an oasy matter to make butter that will grade up to 98 points.

.Our greatest authorities recognise that compulsory inspection of milk by officers competent to advise, and with power to enforce regulations, is likely to cause a general improvement in the factory supplies. So why boat about the bush? The resolution passed at tho Auckland Conference would unhesitatingly be endorsed by nearly every similar institution in Now Zealand, so that by united action tlio Government could easily be induced to act.

It would not require a great number of inspectors to look after our milk supplies. The great majority of farmers do not require either inspection or advice, but if they needed the latter it would be at their service. The smaller number who are responsible for the bad milk need advice and an official who could tell them exactly wliat to do would bo looked upon as a friend and a. benefactor. The remainder, who will not take advice, would at least have to accept legislation, and they mightsoon find that advice was preferable. A little while ago most farmers had a prejudice against inspectors of any kind, but there are few milk-pro-ducers nowadays who are not shrewd onough to recognise among the officials of the Dairying Department their best friends. Even noxious weed and rabbit inspectors are now welcomed by those who are anxious to see the country rid of pests, and the some thing will apply in the case of milk suppliers. Inspection will benefit all those who send in good milk, for it will prevent it being spoilt by inferior or dirty suppliers. It will benefit thoso who have been in the

habit of sending in bad milk, because it will compel them or educate them into better ways. Tie trust therefore that the motion carried at the Auckland Conference will bo accepted by the Government, and that steps will be taken before next season to carry it into practical effect. N.Z. Herald.