BUTTER AND CHEESE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 5, 6 June 1913, Page 3

BUTTER AND CHEESE.

SOUTH ISLAND DAIRY ASSOCIATION DETERIORATING QUALITY OF OUR PRODUCE. UNCLEAN MILKING MACHINES. . AN INTERESTING DISCUSSION. Dunedin, Wednesday. The annual meeting of the South Island Dairy Association opened to-day, Mr. John Gray presiding. There were 68 delegates present. In moving the adoption of the annual report, the chairman said that the expectations of a good market had not been realised. At present the industry, with the exception of the shipping contract, was at sixes and sevens. He was certain that members would have to pull together more with the North Island. The following directors were elected: —Messrs John Harnett (Canterbury) and T. W. Foster (Southland). Mr. J. Ross Hunter (Edendale) was elected chairman. Mr. Sawyers read a paper on the delivery of faulty milk to dairy factories, and its partial prevention and sure cure. He said that a large proportion of the milk delivered at factories was not in a sound condition. This was mainly due to apathy and the introduction of milking machines. He believed that n6t 20 per cent, of the milking machines in Otago and Southland were properly cleansed and sterilised, and far too big a percentage were kept in a deplorable state. The tubing was mostly of inferior quality. He strongly recommended them to ask. for an amendment of the Act providing that milking plants be erected to the satisfaction of the Department, and until the Department issued a certificate a machine should not be used for milking. A certificate of cleanliness and competency should be held by a farmer only so long as his machines and general accommodation were satisfactory to the Department's officers. Half the cost of the work should be borne by the factories and half by the Government. If the manager of a factory refused milk the owner should have the option of hiving it separated and the butter-fat paid for at the rate of at least 2d per lb, less than was paid in the case of milk used for eheese-making without participating in the bonus. The address led to considerable discussion, several delegates refuting the statement that 80 per cent, of the machines were in an unsatisfactory condition. '

'• Mr. Middleton said that the cause of cheese not selling well in London was that the selling here was hopelessiy mixed up in the spring. Mr. Cuddie said that Mr. Sawyers had made some good suggestions. He said that there were ample proofs that complaints against some of the New Zealand cheese last season were justified. The industry was going ahead so rapiaiy that it was unlikely to maintain the high standard of a few years ago. Experienced managers would say it was more difficult now to make first-class cheese than it was before machines were so common. Three hundred machines had been examined bv the Department in two months, and only 23 per cent, were clean. Something must be done by dairy farmers through their managers. It wculd pay the Association to have a cool store at the Illu IT as soon as possible. It was decided that the executive of the Association, in conjunction with the Dairying Department and factory managers, draw up regulations for the receipt or rejection of milk, and for such other matters as may be needful to improve the quality of cheese. It was also decided to take steps to work in conjunction with the North Island Association for improvement in regard to the disposal of dairy produce in London, by combined action if possible.