CHEESE MANUFACTURE

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 248, 18 September 1929, Page 6

CHEESE MANUFACTURE

DRASTIC CHANGES EXPECTED. DEMAND FOR PRODUCE. IRREGULARITY OF SHIPMENTS. Tho opinion that some drastic changes couid be expected in the New Zealand methods followed for the manufacture of cheese was expressed to a “Standard” reporter by Mr D. Buchanan, of Tiakitahuna, who met Mr W. M. Singleton (Director of the Dairy Division) while travelling from Liverpool to Montreal on his recent trip abroad. He stated that Mr Singleton was a very busy man on board ship. , , During his visit to Scotland, Mr Buchanan made some inquiries into the prospects for New Zealand produce and found an unsatisfied demand for supplies, but complaints were made concerning the shipping service. “So far as our butter is concerned, commented Mr Buchanan, “England, Scotland and Canada cannot get en' ough, and distribution is not carried out in a proper manner. I believe that a more uniform system could be adopted.” Instancing the irregularity of arrival of New Zealand produce, Mr Buchanan said he had been informed by a leading Glasgow merchant that he had ordered three shipments of pork from New Zealand, delivery to be effected early in Juiy, the middle of July and August respectively. To his consternation the vessel roamed up and down the New Zealand coast, and the threeshipments were landed at the one time at Glasgow. The consequence was that the first shipment missed the holiday season and had to be sold at a loss. Tho merchant had stated that, if shipments could not be regulated better, the New Zealand producers wouid never improve their position. From what he had been informed bv prominent merchants, stated Mr Buchanan, the quality of this Dominion’s butter was considered to be the best, but the cheese had gone back to a very considerable extent, although while ho was in one office a grocer came in to order mors New Zealand cheese, stating that it was the best he had ever tasted. Tests made had disclosed that New Zealand unsalted butter kept over a period of twelve months had opened up in excellent condition, showing ts quality. Ah were crying out for it, but could not obtain it in certain districts. YYhen in Scotland, Mr Buchanan visited a large margarine factory producing 500 tins per week, and found there Mastertou butter and other butter bearing the Lake brand. This was evidently used in the manufacturing process, as 6 per cent, butter was contained in margarine. At the Newcastle Exhibition, which opened on May 14, 1929, stated Mr Buchanan, a Home merchant packed on behalf of the New Zealand Government 760 cartons of apples as samples to be sold at 6d each. There were four or five small apples in each packet, and so great was the demand tor the fruit that all the cartons were sold in two hours. The quantity on offer was gradually increased, an'd ultimately 20,000 samples were disposed of in less than three -weeks. The merchant ■ concerned had stated that, owing to the demand, half the time he was at the exhibition he had no New Zealand apples to sell, and on no day did he have more than two hours’ supply. The first shipment handled was approximately 500 cases. When picked over and packed, 80 cases were lost through being unsound. One hundred cases were sold without inspection when the shipment arrived.