THE DAIRYING CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8060, 8 March 1906, Page 2

THE DAIRYING CONFERENCE.

AT NEW PLVMOITH. The attendance nl' about eighty dairy factory managers, secrclurics, directors, and butter-makers at the idairying conference at the Moturoa [Freezing Works on Tuesday, showed that those engaged in the industry are alive to the necessity of keeping abreast of the limes on the various matters connected with the production of butter and cheese. The gathering was thoroughly representative of the province. The Dairy Division of the Agricultural Department was represented by Messrs .1, A. Kinsella (Dairy Commissioner), 1). C'nddie (Assistant Dairy Commissioner), W. M. Singleton (cheese instructor), together with Messrs ,J. Johnston (chief grader at New Plymouth), Hanson (grader at New Plymouth), Wright (grader in charge at Paten), Thornton (grader in charge at (Auckland), anil J. Fleming of the chief grader's clerical start, New Plymouth. The day's work commenced at 9.30 a.m., with a series of speeches. Mr J, B. Couuett, on behalf of the Freezing Works Company, tendered a hearty welcomo to the visitors,' and pointed out that although the quality of Now Zealand produce had increased of late years, there was still much to learn. Such a conference as the present would work in that direction. In paying a tribute to Ihe Dairy Department, Mr Council said that he was sure the graders were doing all ilicy could to assist the producers.

Mr Kinsella, the Dairy Commissioner, after mentioning the system adopted iu connection with the grading conferences elsewhere, pointed out that the conference had been arranged for education purposes. He considered that the conferences had done incalculable good, the comparison of brands of produce and the discussions concerning the various defects having the effect of imparting an education to all interested. The Government experts, paid to work in the interests of the industry, could by this means ascertain whether or not they were carrying out their duties to the satisfaction of the producers, and if not, why not, Unless they met the producers to discuss matters, the confidence of those people could hardly be retained. They would have a demonstration of grading during the day, and he wanted tlioso present to try the various parcels opened, sample them,and grade them; then compare their notes with tlio official figures, i'hey were invited and requested to discuss the various samples, and compare them. Each niaiuger, for instance, might compare lus make with his neighbour's, but should not compare the day's figures with the usual official returns to be forwarded, as the packages treated were not representative of a whole consignn en 1 ;, but were, perhaps, from the oldest butter in store, the newest, and an intermediate lot. Mr Kinsella concluded by asking lluit lliose present should speak their minds, and ask any i|uestions regarding the grading ijysleni, or the industry generally. Mr W. T. Jennings. M.H.U., expressed pleasure at attending the demonstration, and gave his opinion that the practical work was worth tons of theory. The Dairying Division was to be commended for arranging these conferences,. and for adopting oilier methods for instructing the primary producers and the iiimufacturcrs. The visitors that day were invited to Criticise freely, in order to draw information, and in order that they might learn from the ollicials in charge, farauaki had made good progress, but was anxious to learn more, and at the hands of Mr Kinsella, the manufacturers could depend on receiving every assistance.

The speaches over, the graders look the various samples, and most of Ihe managers tested them. In many eases their points were almost identical with the otlicial llgnres, and they improved as the day went on. Mr Gano, the chairman of directors of the >iormanby Co-operative Dairy Co., was correct in every instance but two, and then he was only a point out in one parcel and halt a point in the other. Butler was taken firsl, Mr J. John-

stone, Chief Grader, being in charge. He was assisted by the other Government graders present. The points awarded were " full" for everything connected with the first grade afternoon tea dispensed by the Freezing Works Company, the Hygenic Bakery proprietor being the caterer.

CONFEIiKNCK JOTTINGS ' AND opinions, "lou'vo all tasted that sample of butler ? " asked Mr J. Johnstone, Chief Grader, at the Moturoa Freezing Works yesterday. ""Sfcs, rather!" eame the answer from nil round the grading room. "Well," said the Chief Grader, " that is a sample of the 118s butter that the graders arc in trouble about because wo branded it second grade. I leave it to you to say whether or not it should be classed that way. My opinion is that it should be stamped with big figures." "It isn't necessary, sir," called out a gentlcmau from South Tanmaki. "It announces itself."

Mr Adhun, of Oakura, took exception to the system in branding the boxes as second grade, thus prejudicing the produce in the eyes of buyers at Homo.

The Chief Grader pointed out that the second grade butter was mostly from dairies, and was an almost infinitesmal proportion; but it was absolutely necessary that it should ho branded in order to protect the higherclass article shipped from this country. He asked Mr Adhini to give some authority for his statement that these second grades butters were regularly sold at rates equal to first-grade, Mr Adlani said he had read it in the papers, Mr Johnstone: Not in the New Plymouth papers. Mr Allium: No, T read English papers, too.

Mr Johnstone : Its strange that this system of grading, which you condemn, is being advocated and introduced in Australia, 'on account of i(s si|i'ccs« here. ,

Mr Allium said second grade marks might not affect Imttci' sold to arrive, but certainly lowered the price of the slulT sold on consignment. He considered the butter ought to lie graded, but second grades shouid be reported lo the makers only, not to the other end.

Here Mr Kiusella, Chief Dairy Commissioner, chimed in with the remark that if any one thing had done good in hammering into factory managers that they must manufacture good ami uniform butter, it was the system of brawling second grade butter. Without lliis, the Imi tor would never h ive improved as it had done. The contention that this brand lowered the price was disproved by the grumblers, who always asserted Mint the stuff broughl tup market value, despite the second grade brand being attacked. Mr Adlain's suggestion to withhold information from « buyers a| the other end" would not plevato trading or raise us in the eyes of traders at Home, Mr Adlam : Well, you've no business to "ery .stinking lis'i" on my butter before it leaves these shores.

A voice: Stuff like this (referring to a sample from a private factory) shouldn't leay(! ll|e scores; ll should be stopped. (Applause). Then discussion became general, the various factory managers agreeing that it was to the interests of the laagers of good butter to have the poorer »tu!l' ehissed and branded as " second grade," in order to protect the whole of the industry in the colony.