H—29

eased through further mechanical aids. Although the committee has been functioning less than a year, it has considered a number of proposals and has already decided to sponsor a mechanical device for the handling of cheese curd. This machine will assist in one of the most laborious phases of cheese-manufacture and should also provide a means of encouraging the right type of young man to this important industry. The Director of the Dairy Division represents the Government on this committee. Cheese from Reduced Fat.—The increasingly-high fat content of much of the milk available for cheesemaking is again causing the industry some concern. The New Zealand Dairy Board, representing the industry, has asked for some trials to be made in the manufacture of cheese from milk from which some of the fat has been removed. These trials are being considered, and all interests have in mind the knowledge gained from the previous experience of standardized cheese during 1929 to 1931. Dairy Factory Supply Regulations.—These regulations, which cover the zoning of supply to dairy factories, were for a number of years administered by the Executive Commission of Agriculture, of which the late Sir Francis Frazer was Deputy Chairman. The death of Sir Francis necessitated a change in administration, and since 20th October, 1948, the New Zealand Dairy Board, with whom the Director of the Dairy Division is associated in an advisory capacity, has been the zoning Authority. These zoning regulations are of importance to the dairy industry, and the new administration has already dealt with a number of matters within the scope of the regulations. Committee on Dairy Legislation As a result of approaches to the Hon. the Minister by the New Zealand Dairy Board, after discussions at the National Dairy Federation and Dominion Dairy Conference in 1947, a Committee was set up by Cabinet on sth February, 1948, to investigate dry shareholding in co-operative dairy companies and to ascertain the adequacy of existing articles of association to provide for immediate and future developments of the dairy industry and, if necessary, to prepare a model set of articles of association for the industry. The Committee comprised Mr. H. A. Foy, Director of the Dairy Division, Chairman ; Mr. C. H. Courtney, Secretary, New Zealand Dairy Board ; Mr. F. W. Groom, Office Solicitor, New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Co., Ltd., representing the industry; and Mr. E. C. Adams, District Land Registrar, Wellington, representing the Registrar of Companies. Preliminary meetings of the Committee were held in Wellington, and to obtain necessary statistical data a circular was sent to every company by the Chairman of the Dairy Board. Much information and many worth-while suggestions and recommendations were received, and the Committee decided to summarize the principal suggestions and submit them to all companies so that the industry's opinions might be obtained. As a result, more information and suggestions were received. The Committee, after considering all suggestions and recommendations, formed an opinion on some major principles as a means of remedying the position. It then visited Whangarei, Palmerston North, Stratford, Hamilton, Gisborne, Carterton, Blenheim, Christchurch, Invercargill, and Dunedin to discuss the whole question with representatives of each company. Meetings were arranged in each centre visited and every company in the area was invited to be represented at the meeting. After each general meeting individual companies were also invited to meet the Committee in private for a discussion of their own particular problems. The interest shown by the industry in the matters before the Committee is indicated by the fact that over 200 of the 262 companies operating in New Zealand were represented at these meetings.

44