GRADING OF MILK

Hokitika Guardian, 1 March 1932, Page 3

GRADING OF MILK

USE FOR CHEESE-MAKING.

CHANGE IN SYSTEM

WELLINGTON, February 29

“The maintenance of a high, standard of quality. in our dairy'produce is a matter of paramount importance to thtt Dominion, and the necessity for this is fully recognised by those, responsible for the conduct of the dairy industry,” the Minister of Agriculture, Hon. C. E. Macmillan, said in his first official, statement, which he issued yesterday. He intimated that milk grading was to be given a trial throughout New Zealand for the remainder of the present season.

Mr Macmilllan said that in 1926 a system of grading cream, with differential payments according to quality, was instituted, in connection with butter making, and this, after a minimum of difficulties in practice, which were quickly and satisfactorily overcome, had since worked smoothly and well and with great benefit to the industry. “For some time past,” lie added, “the industry had discussed the question ol establishing a .system of grading milk for cheese making, but there has not been absolute unanimity upon it in the North Island, this not being clue to any doubt as to the soundness of the proposal, but rather to an apprehension that H differential payments according to grade ulere instituted, (suppliers, discontented on account of their milk being graded below first quality, would; cease to .supply the cheese factory concerned, land instead separate theii cream and send it to a butter lactory. “But should individuals take this course, their cream would be. subjected to grading and to differential payment according to grade. Milk grading has to be conducted on a method differing from that in use with cream, and a simple test has been evolved for use. in connection with it which, in practice, should prove satisfactory both to suppliers and to factory managers. “The question of introducing milk (trading throughout the industry has been fully discussed lately with the Dairy Board, which is wholly in favour of it, and proposals are now undei consideration by the Government for giving it a s tnrt during the remainder of the present season throughout the Dominion under trial conditions only. “There is no intention,” the Minister concluded, “of making compulsory any differential payments to suppliers as a result of the grading, or of doing anything move than give the system a try-out under practical working conditions, This will, on the one hand, enable both suppliers and factory managers to form their own opinions as to the merits of the system under conditions which ttannot detrimentally affect anyone, and on the other hand furnish a practical illustration of how milk grading would work if, after full consideration, it is put into operation next season in complete form.