MOISTURE IN BUTTER.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 12 September 1910, Page 2

MOISTURE IN BUTTER.

QUESTION BEFORE THE HOUSE

During the course of a speech in the House the Hon. T. Mackenzie said "Coming to the question asked by the member for Taranaki—namely, as to whether it was the intention of the Minister to amend! the Dairy Tndustv Act this session so as to empower graders of butter, for export to withhold from shipment any buttw found to contain over 10

per cent of moisture—the percentage allowed by the British Board of Trade—-he might say that he hod this matter in hand. Mr Cuddio had gone into tho subject very fully, and the honourable gentleman might be aware that he had approved of a plan to use a building in Tnranaki and fit the the same up with plant, whore the butter of settlers can he reworked at a charge of Gd per box; and if this first experiment was successful and valued for the object they were aiming at. he would establish another two depots in Taranaki. Tt was hoped by that process those who had not the means of detecting at the time tho butter was made that there was an excess of moist-lure in it would ho ahle to rework their butter. He was sutg the increased value received by that process would, pay them handsomely even at a charge of Od per hox for reworking. Mr Okey—That is all right. The lion. Mr T. Mackenzie said he thought thnt met the case. He would like to say that he was misunderstood when" he interjected to the demands of the members on the

Opnosition side to stop all butter containing over 10 per cent of moisture that it would be rather a big order if they had placed on the Department the responsibility of barring all the butter that had an excess of moisture from leaving this dominion. He might say that the Agricultural Department had prevented every box going from New Zealand that they had discovered to contain an excess of over 10 per cent moisture. ■ That had been tho principle followed on every occasion, and though they really had no power to do that, yet those connected with the industry had in no way objected to the course of action taken. And now one word regarding the cost involved in what the leader of the

i Opposition asked. They tested at |1 h n -present time for moisture from ' - to 3 per cent, and for grading about 10 per cent, and to test 10 jk'r cent for moisture would require from twelve to fourteen additional assistants at testers. It would be impossible to check the nibble of the butter, as demanded by Mr Okey, inasmuch as, apart from the enormous cost, the delay would l inter-

(ore witlr the despatch of the produce to a. most serious extent, and also with the shipping operations; but it was hoped tha-t this other process he had authorised! would meet the case. He should like to say that it was gratifying to hear from Taranaki that they were prepared. to go_further regarding the regulations in this produce trade. Of course there had been consfdera.ble objection to tiro dairy regulations when introduced, hurt he would not dwell further on that. Ho was merely mentioning it to show the people who formerly strongly opposed them -wore now urging that more officers be sent there. Ho was glad to say lie was able to find and appoint a good man for the Ha\vera district this month, and bih services, he was sure, would bo valued. This officer <had been sent in response to the demand of the people that an additional instructor should be put there. It was also well to remark that the Department was not idle in other respects in advancing the diary industry, but all this increased work meant an increased vote : and lie therefore hoped the House 'would support him in the increased expenditure by the J)epartment if it could be shown that increased expenditure was in the interests of the primary industries. | Pasteurisation was being carried ion ' fo.-'i very largo extent, and the dairy people were, working with the Department and the Department with them in order to purify the skim-milk and wliey that left the factories, so that the germs of disease might not be transmitted to tlio calves and pigs, which had a very serious effect, as they knew, upon the stock of this comvtry. They wore also going in extensively relatively for cow-testing, and this was also resulting in 'benefit to the conntry, and was now being eagerly taken up I>y others engaged in the industry. They hoped to buy stock, and they were also appointing additional instructors to give direct instruction to the dairying people. When he saw that the leader of the Opposition was ready to support what the honourable member for Taranaki, Mr Okey, had advocated —namely, a more searching test regnrd'mg excessive moisture in (butter, and the absolute prohibition of its export—he was pleased at the honourable gentleman's advance. He miglit tell the honourable gentleman that he had there a Bill already containing a very great deal nTore than was provided ,hy law ait present; still, tiro Government required to show inucli wisdom in bringing in their little practical instalments for the ■'benefits of the int.ustry, and which were essential to the development and preservation of the industry.

Mr Massey-iSuch as the Dairy llefriilations.

The Hon. Mr T. Mackenzie (replied i'liflt the honourable gentleman was demanding something far more drastic that the dairy retaliations a 11(1 if lie (Hon. .Mr T. Mackenzie) nan preached tli'nt doctrine prioV to the elections instead of the dairy lobulations, they would have hofuxl more about it. He thought that the work that was being proposed was of con.sidorahie value.