The Hawera Star WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1924. SCIENCE IN DAIRYING.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 29 October 1924, Page 4

The Hawera Star

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1924. SCIENCE IN DAIRYING.

Delivered every evening by 5 o'clock m Hawera, Manaia, Normanby, Okaiawa, Eltham, Mangatoki, Kaponga, Awatuna, Opunake, Otakeho, Manutahi, Alton, Ifurleyville, Patea, Waverley, Mokoia, Whakainara, Ohangai, Meremere, Fraser Road, and Ararata.

In every field of human activity, whether it be the work of securing the fruits of the land, the stress of business, the pursuit of art, or any other task on which man is engaged, the best results are achieved when the healthy spirit of emulation is most alive, when 'men pit their wits, their brains and their energies one against the other. Struggle and striving are essential to the greatest success and to bring out the very best in human endeavour. It is natural in a normally minded man to wish to excel in that to which he puts his hand, and when he finds that others are forging ahead and getting better results he is spurred on to look for the reasons for that success and to see whether he cannot, by the adoption of better or more improved methods, outdo his rivals in the race for excellence, if not for perfection, or at least as near to that goal as he can achieve. This has been demonstrated in every walk of life throughout the years of history, and will be so until the end of time. One of the most important avenues for striving for improvement, as far as New Zealanders are concerned, exists in the world of dairying—in getting from the farm and from the stock the very best possible, so as to compete successfully with the world’s best and so maintain the proud position reached by th,e men who have in the past held in their hands the destiny of the industry. They builded well —it is for the present and the future generations to devote themselves to their work in the spirit of the men who have gone before and given them such a good lead. The farmers may do their part

most carefully, but in spite of the utmost care on the part of the majority of farmers, there are always bound to be problems that only science can overcome. The value of the produce from each dairying district is so large and is increasing so that it is essential for each area to have means close at hand to deal with such problems at once. Time is the essence of the scheme for a research laboratory in dealing with impurities in milk products. Changes take place so rapidly in the bacteriological conditions of milk products that unless any problem confronting the factory manager can be investigated within a few hours by the expert scientist, the possibility of finding a solution may have gone. A complete, well-equipped laboratory for each island is necessary, but more than this is required. Here, right in the centre of the industry, an institution on a smaller scale is urgently required, and it should be so equipped as to deal at once with such difficulties as have faced producers in the past, and will from time to time confront the meffi responsible for manufacturing milk into butter and cheese. The producers in New Zealand have to face the competition of the other primary producing countries of the world, and year by year that competition is likely to grow keener. Only' by the most approved and up to date scientific methods can New Zealand hope to hold her place in the high estimation of the great consuming population of the Old World. Recently some of the most progressive and enlightened of the men whose interests lie in dairy produce made a move to secure better methods and a more effective co-operation. While they are naturally looking afte; their own interests, their work has a much wider scope. They have shown a wise spirit of enterprise and a very active and energetic enthusiasm for the good of the whole body of producers and of the Dominion. Their work of instituting a district research laboratory has.so far progressed that they have the buildings available and need only the outfit and the expert. The Minister has given a very sympathetic' hearing to their requests and will, we feel confident, back that up by practical support. The matter therefore rests to a large extent in the hands of the producers themselves. If, as we be- j lieve they intend, they will agree tr i support the work of the Federation by furnishing their quota of the expense J necessary—and individually it will- not I be heavy—the scheme of dairying re-1 search is assured. We strongly urge all supporters to take a keen personal interest in this movement, which is for . their own benefit, the good results of which they will see more and more as the years go’ on. It is an essential factor in the continued and progressive success of the industry. If farmers show their determination to help themselves, we are confident the Government will do their part for the benefit of the .industry and of. the Dominion. Producers .cannot afford to neglect to apply the most up-to-date ! scientific methods and knowledge to the industry which is of such great importance to New Zealand and the nation as a whole.