DAIRY INDUSTRY

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12612, 24 November 1926, Page 3

DAIRY INDUSTRY

MANUFACTURE AND EXPORT NEW REGULATIONS FRAMED TO BE GAZETTED SHORTLY New regulations under the Dairy Indusry Act as to the manufacture and export of dairy produce have recently been brought before Cabinet by the Hon. O J. Hawken, Minister for Agriculture, and approved for submission to the Goyernor-General-in-Coun-cil. It may therefore be expected that they will be gazetted and brought into force at an early date. In connection with these the Minister states that these regulations have been drafted mainly for the following reasons: — IMPORTANT changes 1. The existing general regulations on the subject of the manufacture and export of dairy produce were made as long ago as 1899, and a number of amendments have since been made. Owing, however, to the numerous and important changes that have occurred from time to time in. the conditions of the industry, some of the old regulations are obsolete, and the amendments that have been made from time to time do not cover all the requirements, and it is therefore desirable that fresh general regulations should be made to cover the whole position. 2. It is considered that condensedmilk factories, casein factories, driedmilk factories, and sugar-of-milk factories should now be brought under these piovisions as far as they apply to them.

3. Power is required to regulate the use of milking, machines, and this is provided for, but it is to be definitely understood that for some time to come it is not intended to enforce these particular provisions by requiring structural or other important alterations, excepting as opportunity offers when buildings or plants are being installed or renovated. 4. Fuller powers are necessary id regard to storing, transporting, separating, straining, and cooling milk or cream. These are provided, but here again. it is not intended to enforce structural alterations in any unreasonable or hasty manner. » . ,5. Regulations are necessary to give effect to the provisions of the Act of lAst session as regards cream-grading. 6. It is occasionally found that provisions are required to deal with contaminated or decomposing milk cr cream sent to dairy factories. A pro* vision in regard to the addition of non-poison oils., colouring matter is necessary to prevent such milk or cream from« being taken to another factory after being refused at the. supplier’s usual factory. WHEY BUTTER AND BOXES 7. Provisions are required for the purpose ot giving proper control over the making of whey butter. Although many cheese factories are using right methods and are profiting accordingly, a number of others need more supervision in this respect in their own interests. 8. The standardisation of butterboxes imposed during thev war has proved decidedly beneficial, and it is desirable to standardise cheese-crates in the same way, and also to standardise the use of wrapping paper on butter. 9. At present there is no special departmental control over premises used for the storing, cooling, or freezing of graded dairy produce at the ports of shipment. A measure of such control is provided for. 10. Effect is given to the provisions of the Amendment ACt of 1922 (embodying what is commonly called the Ontario Act). A .number of other safeguards to suppliers in connection with the testing of their milk or cream at factories are also provided. OPERATION \OF REGULATIONS Further to what is said under Nos. 3 and 4 above, it is to be understood that in general these regulations will not be brought into force with undue precipitancy, but that every reasonable opportunity will be. given to all concerned to adjust their business to the new requirements. In this connection it may be pointed out that .there is hot much in them that is not already in vogue in dairy factories and supplying dairies working on recognised good lines. In view of the importance of these regulations it was considered advisable to consult certain bodies directly interested in the dairy produce industry before bringing the regulations into force. Draft copies were accordingly forwarded to the New Zealand Dairy Produce Control Board, the National Dairy Association, the South Island Dairy Association, and the New Zealand' Dairy Proprietary Association, and replies were received from each of these bodies expressing their general approval of the proposals, and agreeing as to the necessity for their introduction. In some cases individual clausse were criticised, and as far as possible alterations were made to meet tho difficulties pointed out- -It may therefore be said that with very little exception the regulations about to be brought into force have the full concurrence of the lenders of the industry; and the Minister trusts that they will, when gradually brought into operation, prove an important factor in improving the quality of our dairy produce and facilitating its manufacture and export.