THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4720, 16 May 1894, Page 3

THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

Address by l/lr Valentine,

A number of settlers and those htm'itcd in the dairy industry were present last night in the Drill Hall, Masterton, to hear the address delivered by Mr Valentine, the Chief Government Daily Expert.

Mr D, McGregor occupied the chair, ami briefly introduced the lecturer, Tho dairy industry had a great future and it was to be regret- 1 hi that more interest was not shown h this new enterprise, as the small settler would find that dairy-farming would prove most profitable, Mr Viilentineciidorsedthcrcmarks ' of the Chairman with regard to the {.re.it future before the dairying industry. His object in coming was not to pnfc them on the back, but to speak rijfht out, and ventilate tho importance of the dairying industry. He considered that New Zetland possessed better advantages for du'rying than any other country. They had the finest dairy country in tho world. He had visited the d'ffcrent dairy countries.and considered

XEW ZHAUND po.wesscd the greatest advantages of them all. They were also able to ship pure grass butter in the depth of the British winter, and when the demand was greatest, their production vds at its height. To ensure quality the first stop necessary was to treat the milk properly before it reached the factory. The art of butter and cheese making commenced with the production of the milk, and the chief clement was 'to ensure quality and uniformity—in butter, of colour, texture and flavour; and in cheese of condition, colour, texture and flavour. Till-; QUESTION' OK TRANSIT was also an impcrhnt item, and to ensure the produce being conveyed in the best condition to Hie consumer. This matter was receiving every attention from the Govei nmont. Keen competition had sprung up on the Continent, and by the adoption of a sound .system of winter dairying 'these countries were able to supply the English demand neai ly as well in the depth of winter as in the height of summer, Nevertheless he held that New Zealand butter, properly attended to, should lead the van at that time of the year. Regarding DISTIIIDBIiOX there were at piesent too many mid- . dlenienby which profits were reduced.

Dining the last two months they had been ventilating tlnough the press thematterofnewdistributingcentrcd at Home, With regard to the leports that were distributed fiom the London de.Oeis they must deduct 50 per cent, because they were not always reliable. They were reminded every day that London was the only distiibuting centre for their produce. It had a population of 5| millions to cater tor, whereas in tho North of England they had ten millions to cater for, and better nb)o to purchase the better classes of produce OXfi (WHAT DHAWMCK to our tip.de had been the large quantity of inferior dairy butter shipped by unscrupulous people, who had no legard either for quality or condition. Careful selection, of stock was ve; y nccessai y to make a dairy fmm a success, particularly of the sires. Kindness was veiy essential and milking cows should always be sheltered from the cold and wet, ns if they aie allowed to get cold their milk was deprived of a constituent which goes to make up the heat of the body, and this constituent w,is nothing more than butter fat. In conclusion, Mr- Valentino again . uiged all interested in the industiy i he represented to work together for the general good,

OI'WTIONS weie then invited by Mr Valentine. Mr Chamberlain asked whfitbor it was most piolitablo to produce cheese, butter or bacon. Mr Valentino said at the present time he should say cheese. liueply to otberqucstions Mr Valentine said tlmtunfoituni'.tely most of the middlemen seemed to care merely for "clearing" and getting their commissions.—On the whole a food rich iu f:it produced im equivalent in batter.— With a few modifications a milking machine lately in themarket could be recommended—Victorian bailor was above New Zealand at present because of its even quality, but in his opinion it was not sp fine'as the New Zealand article. Ml' D. McGregor said that it had been suggested that if settlers went in too largely for dairying, the price" of produce would fall. Mr Valentine said that so long as a

really good in liclc to produced, and a better system of distribution adopted, there was no likelihood of a fall in prices for several years The best Ifew ZcaUnd factory butter was quite equal to best Panish—if it reached Knglnnd in its noimal state—Separated milk was good food. Fat foods were also noodod,— Mangolds did not contain much fat, but nil kinds of roots wore valuable food,

Mr W, Lowes risked if Mr Valentine could suggest a better method of disposing of their products at Home than tho present one. How was the producer to get over the middle man's profits ? ' Mr Valentino said he had plans in his mind, but was not yet prepared ' to make them publio.—Better ti-at-I sit of food stuffs was necossaty on railways and steamboats. Much butter arrived at the vessel's side badly damaged. If New Zealand could not land her produce in good condition, England would go ol,?e----where, A hearty vote of thanks was then moved by MrT. E. Chamberlain and seconded by Mr E, Tayler, and ca l .- eied unanimously. Iu replying, Mr Valentine regretted that lie )|ai] not been able to go more fully into details jii his short addresß,butexpiessed his! willing, ne/ss to farther questions which in private, • ■ with chair,