DRIED MILK INDUSTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 August 1918, Page 3

DRIED MILK INDUSTRY.

A DEPARTMENTAL MEMORANDUM. Mr H. Okey, M.P., recently communicated with the Minister of Agriculture with reference to dried milk and asked for any information the department might have concerning it. The Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald, in reply, has forwarded to Mr Okey copy of a memorandum from the Director "of the Dairy Division. Mr D. Cuddie, which gives a good dosfl of practical information. In the course of his memorandum Mr Cuddie states that "'the question of obtaining shipping space for an increased quantity of milk powder has to be taken into account until the shipping again becomes normal, and a 3 to the prospects of a market for dried milk in quantity after the war tlfere is no definite knowledge available, although it is believed that it will como into fevor with the consuming public to a greater extent than heretofore. It should be remembered, however, that the different processes of treating milk in this way—and there are many of such—have been protected by patent rights from the »m----inence.ment, and this (being the ease dairy companies, contemplating the establishment of dried milk factories, must be in possession of the rights to use one or other of the different systems. ... It is believed that the cost of buildings ann machinery to deal with the milk from WOO cows will exceed £20,000, and of course vary in accordance with the system of manufacture adopted. While it is advisable that every inouiry should, be era do bv farmers reirardino; this new bhajse oF (feirving in New Zealand thev will be well advised not to commit them selves hurriedly in chamrin? from the rrarmifac.turo of cheese and butter to *%t of dried milk. Waving first secured the working rights of a modern nroeess, % market for the product, and a reason-a-1'1? assurance of regular shinpinsj facilities, the sc.ttilcr-3 would ihe on safe STonnd providing that the price obtained "would prove more profitable to them than the (branch of dairying on which they are now engaged.