SHORTAGE OF RENNET.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 40, 22 January 1916, Page 2

SHORTAGE OF RENNET.

FARMERS’ UNION ACTION. The chairman (Mr R. Dunn) at the neeting of the Taranaki Farmers nion on Thursday, referred to the fact that Mr Caddie had said that chore was likely to lie a shortage' of •a'iinot for cheese-making, and lie (the ■hairm.in) thought that they, as farmers, or rather dairy companies, should lo something in the matter for themselves. It would he a good thing if the suggestion came from the Taranaki I’nion asking farmers to interest themselves in seeing whether the dairy companies would take up the question, of manufacture of rennet. It was not an elaborate process; the main thing was to secure a supply of calves’ veils or stomachs. At the present-'time a groat many calves were killed in Taranaki and the custom amongst farmers was to knock a few calves on the head and let them lie until they had sufficient for a forenoon’s skinning. To save the. veils, however, the skinning would have to he done straight away, which might inconvenience these farmers to a certain extent, and to compensate them for this the dairy companies might recompense him. A mpmher: “An offer of Gd apiece has already been made.” Continuing, the Chairman said that the dairy companies would have to consider making it worth .suppliers’ while swing the veils, and if this were done some of the big companies, having 2000 to 3000 cows, would very soon accumulate a Jot of material for the manufacture of rennet. It might not ho enough to lill the whole bill, hut it would materially augment the supply obtained from other sources. It would he a serious thing for New Zealand if there should happen to be a shortage in the supply of rennet. Mr Washer said that in the old days farmers used to make their own rennet. He suggested that it might he advisable for the dairy companies to import a man who knew something about the process of manufacture and set up a lactory in Taranaki in the midst of the dairying industry. Mr Maxwell questioned if it would he necessary to import a man. Ho understood the process of manufacture was a very simple one. The Chairman then moved; “That the Executive draw the attention of dairy companies to the threatened shortage of rennet and suggests that a meeting of dairy company representatives be held at an early date with a view to dealing with the matter. Seconded lay Mr Swindlelnirst and carried. On the motion of Mr Maxwell, it was further decided that Mr Cuddie be asked to supply all the information possible in regard to the manuiaeture „f rennet, the nature and cost ol buildings required, and whether there were people in New Zealand' capable of manufacturing it. Hawcra Star,