STANDARDISED CHEESE

Hokitika Guardian, 14 November 1930, Page 7

STANDARDISED CHEESE

THE POSITION TO BE INVESTIGATED. WELLINGTON, November 12. Particular concern at the possibility of a. prohibition being placed on standardised cheese was expressed by a large deputation of farmers and factory directors representing the dairying districts of the North Island, which waited upon the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. A. J. Murdoch, to-day.

The deputation was introduced by Mr Martin, M.P. for Raglan. It was claimed Ivy speakers that no justification existed for banning standardised cheese. A large financial loss to farmers was anticipated to result from any such action being taken. 'flic. Minister promised that he would not take any action until the whole case had been investigated. WOULD MEAN SERIOUS LOSS.

Mr Dynes Fulton, a member of the Dairy Produce Control Board, congratulated the Minister on the fair and impartial attitude he had adopted in giving each party a chance to state its case. The factories represented were responsible for an annual production of 4000 tons of cheese, or about half the Dominion total. No complaints were received from England for same time after standardised cheese was exported under official permission. It was felt that if the word “standardised” were abolished overseas consumers would noi know the difference, The best experts were not able to distinguish one cheese from the other, as had been proved by actual tests, Prohibition of standardised cheese would mean a serious loss to dairy-farmers generally. If Government control were carried out a satisfactory basis for the production of standardised cheese would, no doubt, be brought about. Mr Fulton said if both sides of the case were known lie believed three-quarters of the farmers in the country would favour the retention <of the standardised piroduet. An appeal for a fair trial for standardised cheese was made by Mr J. B. Murdoch, of iTawera, who asked the Minister not to take hasty action without a full investigation. A FAIR. TRIAL, Mr P. J. Small, of Kairanga, said that many boards of directors had induced factory managers to strive for yield. However, to-day factories were aiming for quality and not yield, and he was confident that there would be a great difference this year. He was convinced that if the scheme were given a fair trial the position would work out satisfactorily.

The Minister: What do you call a fair trial?

Mr Small: At least another twelve months, with an investigation of the position in the Old Country on a more stable market.

Mr J. G. Brackon, off Pahiatua, said that the Dairy Control Board had encroached upon a. field which did not concern it. On one hand, Mr lorns, an amateur and chairman of the hoard, was telling farmers what sort of cheese was wanted, and on the other. Mr W. M, Singleton, an expert and Director of the Dairy Division, was instructing fanners how to. make better standardised 1 cheese, Mr C. J, Parian©, of the New Zealand Co-onerative Dairy Company, estimated that if standardised cheese were abolished the annual loss to the farmers would he about £IOO.OOO.

Mr H. B. Leppar, North Taranaki, said his factory handled only about 4CO tons of cheese, yet the process of standardisation meant an extra £3714 for distribution to suppliers. Other sneakers were Messrs A. V. Tait (South Taranaki), R. Bond (Manawatu), D. Darrell (Waikato). A. B. Muggrirlge (Taranaki), W. Reid (Bay of Plenty!, and F. H. Anderson. DOMINION’S GOOD NAME.

The Mim’ster said the question was really a domestic one, affecting farmers and the Dairy Control Board. The board bad 1 gono to the Government, however, as a last resort in order to bring about the consummation, of course, which it considered necessary to safeguard the industry., Mr Murdoch said he would tell the 1 deputation quite frankly that he would not consider standardisation being rejected in the meantime with the object of raising the question In March. He was certain that the issue would be left unsettled indefinitely. Hie whole issue, sp©m>od to be reduced, to that of preserving the good name of the Dominion on overseas markets. II the Dairy Hoard did its duty it would look after the country’s reputation.

SUPPLIED INFERIOR' ARTICLE. It was perfectly clear that this disnpproval had been brought about by tl\e fact that certain factories • had supplied an inferior article. The Minister said ho h.acl enough evidence In his possession to damn a number ol factories in the North Island. They had sent out a product they had no right to endeavour to place on the market, merely for the purpose of “getting money both ways.” The douptation could be assured that nothing would be done bv the Government until the whole situation had been investigated. A cablegram had already been sent to the Prime Minister asking him to get into touch with merchants at Home concerning the marketing of standardised cheese. When he had all the evidence before him he would give a decision and to the best of his ability. Mr Murdoch added that it would bo made in the interests of the industry as a whole.