THE QUALITY OF PRODUCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 July 1921, Page 7

THE QUALITY OF PRODUCE.

INSPECTION OF DAIRIES. PROPOSAL REJECTED. “That in the interests of dairying, and with a view to still further improving the quality of our dairy produce, it is essential that dairies supplying batter and cheese factories should be periodi* | cally inspected by Government inspectors.” This resolution, which was brought 1 forward at the unnuaJ meeting of the Royal Oak Dairy Company at Omata on Monday night by Mr. J. A. Kurth, resulted in a lengthy discussion on the system suggested. In advocating more inspection, Mr. Kurth said that unless they gave the dairy factory manager the best that could be produced on the farm it was unreasonable to expect him to send out a good article from the factory. He thought beneficial results would be obtainable by a system of inspection and, instruction; the careless man would be ; on his guard more; the beginner would | look to the official for advice; while the 1 man who was already doing well could not suffer by the occasional visit of an inspector. Further, in the interests of health alone it was desirable, as according to a statement made recently, many infectious diseases admitted to 1 hospital were traced to places where i there were unclean dairy sheds.

Last year this company had a yield of 2.68, which was admittedly good, but it was possible to Increase that by two pointe, with good quality milk. Cleaner buckets and cans would assist in this direction. When poor milk was put in to the factory it reduced the yield of the others, and it had beer suggested to pay on first and second grade, but he i was of opinion this would not work in | a cheese factory. Aa illustrating what difference two points in the yield meant, : Mr. Kurth said a yield of 2.69 was equal i to 486,4161bs of cheese in their company, while a yield of 2.71 would mean an j output of 490,932 —a difference of 3,616 I lbs. Considered from a financial point ! iof view this was worth trying on. In ' i his opinion the prospects for the future j marketing of Dominion produce also I . had a bearing on this question, as he 1 j believed that they now had an opportunity of making a name for the New i Zealand article that had never presentIrd itself before. It was, therefore, up to 1 them to put their shoulders to the wheel in order to help in turning out a first-class article. The resolution was seconded by Mr. 0. Huge. Replying to a question, Mr. Kurth said he would be in favor of every dairy- | ■ man's property being inspected. f Another shareholder said that an I ' army of inspectors would be needed, but • j Mr. Kurth replied that this argument I was a bogey.

1 The company’s manager (Mr. E. Pegwarden) said the question was one which had been cropping up in Taranaki 1 for some years, and had also been taken ! up at the annual meeting of the Dairy Factory Managers’ Association, held recently at Hamilton On that occasion, however, the discussion was on the question of milking machines rather than sheds. The managers felt that the time had come to take some action. A manager himself, however could not do so, as after all he was only an employee of Ihe shareholder. The effect of feeding cows on certain crops was also detrimental, and it was for suppliers to take a little more care in this direction. “Turnips and milking machines,” he said, “are the worst enemies of the factory manager.” Mr. E, R. Bayly said be thought ail were in accord with the spirit of Mr. : Kurth’s motion, but it was not practical. The solution of the trouble was to catch the milk at the factory, and if it was not up to standard it should be re-

jected. He favored asking the Government to appoint inspectors, who would be available for dairy companies in turn and would visit factories and inspect the milk as it arrived. Mr. S. Vickers said the mover had failed to show- how the system of the I Government inspection would effect any I improvement. If there was anything wrong with milk when it came to the factory as the result of bad plant, th ? . upplier should be told about it, but if it was a question of commencing where the product is handled he did not think inspectors would help. Replying, Mr. Kurth said though he had not proved that inspection would be a success, speakers who had opposed him hud not proved that the change would not be beneficial. As an instance of the results of inspection he referred to the Government check on milk supplied in the towns.

The chairman (Mr. E. P Bayly) sahl while not agreeing with all of Mr. Kurth’s proposal, the necessity of sending good milk to the factory could not be stressed too much. It was stated that instructors who now visited factories already had power to deal with the inspection of milk. Vnier. the resolution was put- it was declared lost, on the voices.