NEW ZEALAND BUTTER

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 139, 15 June 1933, Page 12

NEW ZEALAND BUTTER

WEST INDIES MARKET

EXCHANGE OF TRADE

Tlio interesting statement that New Zealand butter was sought after in preference to Canadian butter on the island of St. Vincent, in the West Indies, was mado by Mr. C. Moller, of Brisbane, who arrived today by the Rotorua, accompanied by his" wife and family, on his way home after spending two years on tho island.

In an interview with a "Post" representative, Mr. Moller, said that although ho could not speak with certainty, ho believed that New Zealand butter predominated on the whole West Indies market. It was done up. in attractive wrappers, each containing four one-quarter pound pats, and sold at Is 8d a pound in English currency during his stay on the. island. The butter was introduced into St. Vincent about six months ago by. his brother-in-law, the Hon. F. A. Corea, M.L.C. It competed, with Canadian butter, which, however, was slowly losing ground.

' Mr.. Moller said ho thought a great deal could be done in reciprocal trade between New Zealand and tho West Indies, provided the trade routes could bo suitably< arranged. .There was a market in the West Indies for'cheese which at present was supplied by Canadian producers, and probably New Zealand could export ;ianis, among other products, with profitable "results. In return New Zealand could take molasses, sugar, spices, rum, arrowroot, and bulk chocolate. Cold storage facilities were available at St. Vincent, and trade inquiries by New Zealand producers would bo welcomed.

St. Vincent was probably one of the few places in the world that had not been badly hit. by the depression, said Mr. Moller. Arrowroot production, the staple industry of the island, was flourishing, largely owing to the cooperativo efforts of the growers, who had formed a pool, and had put the industry on a sound footing. . Prior to the formation of the pool they were at the mercy of every agent. The. climato' of St. Vincent was ideal for the growing of arrowroot.' Plenty of water was available 'to drive the power plants, and to purify the arrowroot. Grading was done by the latest. machinery, A largo quantity of arrowroot was exported to the United States and elsewhero for uso in patent foods, face creams, and faeo powder. During the past three years ono American firm alone had bought annually 12,000 barrels, each containing two hundredweight of arrowroot. Arrowroot was a most valuable product in making milk suitable for infants, and its dieteticvaluo was'very high.