CANDID CRITIC

Evening Star, Issue 21667, 12 March 1934, Page 8

CANDID CRITIC

NEW ZEALAND BUTTER INFERIOR TO DANISH OUR CHEESE UNATTRACTIVE TO BRITISH BUYER MUST IMPROVE TO GAIN MARKET [Pm United Press Association.! CHRISTCHURCH, March 12. A candid statement stressing the need for improvement of the dominion’s dairy produce if the Homo market is to be captured was made in an interview by Mr T. H; Reading, of Watford, England, a former director of the Maypole Dairy Company, controlling 1,000 shops. Mr Reading, who was a passenger by the Mataroa, said that at present in England there was a decided preference for Danish dairy produce. He could not state definitely what was wrong with our butter, except that the Danish seemed fresher and people liked it. In some parts people would not touch New Zealand butter. Regarding New Zealand cheese, Mr Reading said there was something very definitely wrong. It was often of a soapy nature, and had little attraction to the British buyer compared with Cheddar and other English cheese. Ho thought considerable improvement could be made in the New Zealand article if manufacture were more scientifically considered. Some years back the Danish cheese had been in a similar position, and had found no sale whatever. Realising the need for improvement, the Danish jnanufacturers established a large technical department. As a result Danish cheese had been greatly improved, and was now meeting a good export market. Another important factor having its effect on the preference for Danish butter was that the English importers could make annual contracts with the Danish factories for fresh butter, while only partial contracts could be made with New Zealand, for during, a large part of the year New Zealand butter had come from the refrigerators.