DAIRY BOARD

Hokitika Guardian, 29 September 1930, Page 8

DAIRY BOARD

STANDARDISED CHEESE. PROHIBITION OF EXPORT • 1 SUGGESTED. WELLINGTON, September 25. “As a! result of my investigation,’’ said Mr lorns, chairman of the Dairy Board, in a report to that body today, “I reached the conclusion that the industry would be wise to abandon the standardisation of cheese.

“While the article itself, in some instances, may he quite all right,’’ he said, “it is the practice and name to which the trade oejects. Already clirferentiation against standardised cheese is-becoming genera], and many big buyers and users of 'cheese told me that they henceforth would not be using standardised cheese. This inevitably will deprive New Zealand of a considerable demand with a. bad effect upon the price. Unquestionably standardised cheese does not cut as silky as does full cream cheese. Further, it is very mealy and develop a crumbliness after being cut that is not pleasant. These are serious faults which reflect themselves in the price. I saw many instances of a preference of 3d per lb being given to Other imported cheddar cheese against New Zealand 1 cheese. Many of o-ur coloured cheese develop a mottled effect, this making them very unsightly and hard to sell. The cheese position generally is not satisfactory and required immediate action on the part of all concerned to rectify the position, and regain our reputation.” After consideration had been given by the Board to the report presented by Air lorns on big investigations into the present position of New Zealand cheese on the British market, Air lorns gave notice of motion that the question should be. reviewed at the next meeting of the Board on October 22nd, with a veiw to making recommendations to the Dairy Division that the export of .standardised cheese should he prohibited from the Dominion.

A committee consisting of Messrs Dunlop, Hine, Corrigan, Winks, and the chairman, was set up to meet Mr W. M. Singleton, Director of the Dairy Division, and discuss with him the report and .recommendations made, with a view to improving the. quality of cheese going forward. A recommendation by Mr lorns that tbe grading of cheese be considerably tightened, was endorsed by the Board.