CASEIN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 227, 13 February 1913, Page 6

CASEIN.

STRATFORD DA 11! Y MEN REJECT IT. (From Our Sti.itiord Reporter). At a big meeting of shareholders of the Stratford Farmers' Co-operative Association on Tuesday at Stratford, Mr. Pederson, Government expert, addressed the gathering on the casein industry, giving the facts and leaving the matter in the hands of the shareholders. Mr. D. Dingle, chairman of directors, presided. Mr. Pederson said that it was only within the past few years that casein had assumed commercial importance. There was every reason to believe that xm-y little casein would be manufactured in Europe in the. future, for skim milk was being used in the manufacture of food products, which manufacture would be impossible in this country. He referred to skim-milk cheeses, margarine, and so on. lint the uses of casein were daily increasing. It was used in paper and paint manufacture. In regard to casein whey, there were conflicting opinion, biit he noticed the farmers always took it home, and presumably found some use for it. It had certain sugar and albumen content, nnd, having been pasteurised, was not likely to be a, disseminator of disease, as in the case of unpasteurised skim milk. Tiie cost of buildings and plant were inexpensive, and that green casein manufacture would not require any additional steam power, as the steam was needed early in the morning, when not otherwise required. Even at the prevent low price paid for casein, shareholders would earn another l%d per lb on (heir bntter-fat.

The chairman regretted that they had not definite information concerning the nctual food value of the casein whey. Practical farmers had assured him they were gelling good results. Butter and casein combined would give , better returns than cheese. (Several shareholders: No!). Mr. Dingle asked those present to approach the question with an open mind. Tt was useless to say without consideration that this thing or that thing was no good. For years he and others had reckoned there was nothing good coming out of the Agricultural Depnrtment, but they had changed their opinion. (A voice: We've had to pay for it). Mr. Dingle retorted: "Yes, and it has paid us well to pay for it." Mr. Dingle said be was pleased to see the stand the Midhirst directors had taken in embarking on this experiment. They had done so without consulting their shareholders. A shareholder: Yes; and they'll be put out at the next annua! meeting. .

In answer to Mr. Webb, who asked what it cost the Midliirst company to I manufacture the green casein. Mr. Ped- ] erson said that Ihe Wanganni company was paying •■CIS 10s a ton to the Midliirst people, which allowed C'2 10s a ton for manufacture over and above the l ] /|d per 11) on butter-fat. That was more than ample, and the margin would pay for the buildings in a year or two. In answer to a shareholder, who said that at the Ratanni creamery of the Wanganui Dairv Co. the manufacture of i butter and casein had boon relinquished in favor of cheese, and that the casein whey killed the pigs and calves, Mr. Pedevson said that, was under the sulphuric acid system, not under (he present lactic acid system. Mr. Y,. Marfell gave iiis opinion that with the phosphate of lime added the casein whey should he at least, half as pood as swim-milk. lie was prepared to vole for the company to «tart iu the casein business. Mr. 'Marfell said there •was .a strong prejudice against this casein whey. Mr. Pederson said that a complete factory 1 and plant to deal with from 500 to 1000 tnns. drying and all, would cost from £o()00 to .GOOOO. Mr. Rawles: If this is so and the industry is so profitable, why is the Wanganui company asking the Government for assistance? Was it a fact that the Midliirst company was overworking its staff by adding this new business? Mr. Pederson said that an extra man was employed for the casein. Mr. Piawles gave his opinion •that "good skim-milk put into good skins" would return .Id per Hi on butter-fat. Mr. McP.ride moved, and Mr. Webb seconded, a motion-That this company is not prepared to manufacture casein nt the present time at the present, price. Mr. Marfell moved—That it he a recommendation to the directors to instill n green casein plant at any creamery where the shareholders desire it. This amendment was not seconded, and the motion was carried, only Mr. Marfell dissenting. Conversing subsequently with some of the farmers on the question, a News reporter learned that the suppliers to the Stratford main factory got skim-milk better than the average. The buttermilk from the different creameries was mixed with this waste product, and gave it an added food value. "That is why." said one gentleman, "Stratford will stick to butter, and leave cheese and casein alone." There are generally wheels within wheels.