BRANDED BUTTER

Evening Star, Issue 26087, 29 April 1947, Page 5

BRANDED BUTTER

TO BE ALLOWED AGAIN IN * BRITAIN RETAILERS CAN STILL (USE NATIONAL MARK . (From A.- W. Mitchell, N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent.) LONDON, April 28. After protracted discussions with traders, the Ministry • of Food announced that as from October 1 butter imported into Britain may be sold under the name of its country of origin, providing the “National ” mark is also retained. New Zealand butter may therefore be sold under the markings, “ New Zealand Butter—National Butter.” This will also apply to Australia, Denmark, the Argentine, and other exporting countries. . Retailers, however, will not be obliged to use the name of'Now Zealand or of other countries, and they will remain at liberty to use only the “National” mark if they prefer to do so. It is hoped, in view of the pre-war prestige of New Zealand butter and the present advertising campaign of the Marketing Department, that retailers will use the Dominion's name. Ever since the end of hostilities New Zealand has been pressing for the removal of the war-time regulations which allowed the use of the “ National ” mark only, Though the Ministry of Food was agreeable, traders regarded the change with reserve. They pointed out that there were many difficulties in reintroducing the names of countries of origin. Supplies of imported butter, they said, varied in origin from week to week, and they had to accept the allocations made of them without discrimination- They also pointed out that there was an acute shortage of paper for wrappers, and that there were often lons delays in getting the wrappers printed. Eventually a compromise was reached, and it was agreed that the name of the country eff origin mighty he reintroduced provided the “ National ” mark was also retained. This will enable retailers to continue to blend butters and sell them as “ National ” if they wish, or to sell their supplies as New Zealand or Danish, .eta., according to the allocations made and the requests of their customers.