OTHER PAPERS’ OPINIONS.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 273, 31 January 1929, Page 4

OTHER PAPERS’ OPINIONS.

DISCONCERTING. Dairymen all over New Zealand, and indeed all who realise the vast importance of the dairying industry tp the welfare of this Dominion, must have been somewhat disconcerted upon reading the report of an address given at Cambridge by Sir Thomas Clement, representative of the well-known importing firm of Andrew Clement and Sons. Truly, he is a doubting Thomas—but none the less welcome on that account. We need candid criticism, which, so long as it is founded upon thorough knowledge, should be productive of great good. Sir Thomas was upon very firm ground when he emphasised that the people we have to cater for in "the ultimate analysis are not the graders in New Zealand but the consumers at Home. But even here it is common knowledge that the housewife prefers good home-made butter to the factory product, the reason being that the former has the natural flavour, whereas the latter is by comparison tasteless, denatured, or, in the technical language of the lecturer, overneutßalised. The fact is that it were better to eliminate on the farm all undesirable elements than have to rely upon intense pasteurisation arid deodorisers and neutralising agents' to overcome objectionable qualities; This is a point well worth taking to hfeart. Regarding cheesg, Sir Thomas has only said openly and’ candidly what many of our own dairy experts have remarked “ sub rosa,” and “ not for publication ” ; many a time has one thought of the evil being piled up by semi-secrecy instead of being curbed by the healthy sunlight of open publicity. The “ mad rush for yield ” in a field of fiercely-warring rival companies is tantamount to the making of a rod to smite our hacks with. Sir Thomas’ remarks upon standardised cheesse. are fair cens-ei.S, and

may be admitted as such even by those in favour of the change. However, it is reassuring to reflect that several companies are acting cautiously and making a gradual tryout before fixing their final policy. If standardisation proves a success it will mean a substantial gain, but there should be ‘no rushing at even the most alluring prospects. The comments upon the fluctuations in the amounts of cheese sent to London at different times of the year comprise but one more proof of the need for some sort of control or regulation of supplies. Mr. F. Seifert touched a crucial point when he spoke of sending our graders Home to ascertain the tastes of the consumers. All State departments have an inherent tendency to ossification, to settling into a groove, and continual pressure needs to be applied to enforce investigation and initiative. That, and the gaining of greater technical knowledge, are two of the salient features of a salutary address.—Morrinsville Star.