The Sun 42 WYNDHAM STREET, AUCKLAND WEDNESDAY. NOVEMBER 27. 1929 BETTER CHEESE WANTED

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 831, 27 November 1929, Page 8

The Sun 42 WYNDHAM STREET, AUCKLAND WEDNESDAY. NOVEMBER 27. 1929 BETTER CHEESE WANTED

A UCKLAXD easily still holds pride of place for butter production in the Dominion, but its interest in the manufacture of cheese is extensive enough to emphasise the producers' need of considering the advice of the Director of the Dairy Division of the Department of Agriculture as regards scope for improved quality. After an investigational trip abroad, including a visit to Denmark, Mr. W. M. Singleton has returned to his valuable work here, not only with instructive information, but with changed ideas as to the best manner in which these may be put into practice to New Zealand’s economic advantage. He was frank enough yesterday at Hamilton, where he addressed an assembly of cheese manufacturers and factory directors, to confess that a study of conditions in other countries had altered his views to the extent of impelling him to seek relief from a promise to have amended legislation which permits the export of modified cheese.

The evidence Mr. Singleton gave in support of his revised and extended knowledge was sufficiently impressive to encourage cheese manufacturers to act upon his advice both in respect of high grading and the vital necessity of placing quality of output in front of quantity. It should be noted that there was nothing in Mr. Singleton’s statement to dishearten the manufacturers of cheese. On the contrary the whole of his information and counsel was an encouragement toward a notable increase in the good work that has been done by producers within the past score of years. For example, his first impression in London was such as to give general satisfaction. There, he found that New Zealand produce was being much better handled than it was in 1907—a result which reflected a good deal of credit on the Dairy Produce Board. Moreover, there was reason for congratulation on the Dominion’s possession of a good basis in London for the marketing of its butter. Even in that fact, however, there was need of improved quality in a number of brands. But in purring over the more satisfactory features of New Zealand’s export of dairy produce, no one concerned in the country’s greatest industry should ignore or even neglect the defects of a valuable business. It was made clear by the departmental expert that it would be better to dump modified cheese into the sea than to export the product to a market where competition is as keen as the demand for the highest standard of quality. “Makers in New Zealand,'” Mr. Singleton asserted, “showed a tendency to be careless in the matter of firmness of curd. The cheese was much softer, needed more salt and often had an excess of water.” This criticism was qualified by a more pleasing statement that he had not seen any cheese just as uniform as the New Zealand product. Still, the reference as to carelessness and other weaknesses should not be forgotten by manufacturers.

In view of the tendency of the oversea jnarket toward lower prices, it is essential that the dairy industry should do everything possible to command the best prices available for products of the highest quality. "Within the past twenty years export cheese from this country has increased in value from less than .€-2.000,000 to over £6,000,000 a year. There are now 257 cheese factories, the greatest proportion of the Dominion total being in Taranaki and Otago and Southland. Auckland has 31 and two dual-plant factories, as compared with 66 factories for the production of butter. Altogether, the value of cheese manufactures throughout New Zealand is still less than half of the aggregate worth of butter exports. Thus, there is considerable scope for an increase in cheese production, but no great development need be looked for unless and until the present manufacturers have turned their weakness into strength. They have received guiding information from a qualified observer who has declared definitely that it would pay the producers handsomely to stabilise standardised cheese.

A new grading scale has been urged by Mr. Singleton as a first necessity. Since better cheese is wanted at a better price, the manufacturers should not be laggard in going after more money. Canada is reaping the benefit of extensive grading. Is there any real reason why New Zealand producers should take second place to any competitor in the production of high-quality butter and cheese? It is to be hoped that manufacturers and factory directors will accept the advice of the leading departmental expert.

SEAPLANE TRAFFIC

AN important question bearing on the relation of maritime authorities to seaplane traffic will shortly have to be decided by the Auckland Harbour Board. This is the matter of accommodation for seaplanes in the Waitemata. A seaplane imported for commercial purposes is now in commission, and its owners naturally seek a suitable location as a base for their operations. It is pointed out that this particular machine will in all probability be the nucleus of a large fleet operating from Auckland. The whole of this district is wonderfully favoured for the development of traffic by seaplane. Both to north and south there are long extents of sheltered coast, with fine harbours and the smooth water desirable for landing and taking off. It will not be at all surprising if, in the future, a considerable amount of traffic to places like Whangaroa, Russell, Whangarei, Kaipara, the Great Barrier, Mercury Bay and Thames is not carried by seaplane. The development of this traffic may be of great importance to Auckland, and the Harbour Board can assist in promoting it by setting aside a reserve of sheltered water reasonably close to the City. It may be asked why, on a harbour that is never really rough, the seaplanes should require any particular area to be set aside; but there are serious obstacles to their successful operation if they have to ship their passengers in the midst of shipping. Not only is there the danger of collisions and damage from the wash of passing ships, but also there is the question of launch hire. After the novelty has worn off it will discourage passengers if they have to pay for a launch to take them out into the middle of the harbour every time they make a trip. The owners of the recently imported seaplane consider that Orakei Bay is a suitable area for their operations. On general principles it is not a good thing to close off any particular part of the harbour, but in this instance the proposal should be acceptable. Owners of small craft at present have excellent reservations in Mechanics’ Bay, St. Mary’s Bay. and other parts of the harbour, and they can hardly complain if provision is made now for another and very important type of craft. The Harbour Board already shows a disposition to recognise its responsibility and, though there is no obligation on its part to incur any heavy expenditure in catering for the new class of traffic, at least it can encourage such enterprise. In England the development of flying has beer greatly hampered by lack of suitable landing places for both types of aircraft, and New Zealand should he careful that it profits by the lessons of others and keeps abreast of the times.