COLONIAL PRODUCE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume C, Issue 11725, 1 November 1898, Page 6

COLONIAL PRODUCE.

ME CAMERON’S REPORT.

DISTRIBUTION IN SCOTLAND. rPija Press Association.! WELLDKJTON, Oct. 31.

The Agricultural Department has received a report, dated Sept. 23, from Mr H. C. Cameron, Inspector of Produce in London. He says that he has just spent some time in Scotland, and was extremely pleased to find that, on all hands, the quality of both Hew Zealand butter and cheese was most favourably commented upon, and that the distribution of these articles now extends over a area, which/ undoubtedly, Will be steadily increasing. Complaints were few in num-ber,-and the .general, vprdict. was .that New - Zealand ■ butter was improving, and gaining favour with consumers. Objection was sometimes taken to his advocacy of an oblong butter - box being used in New Zealand as distinctive from the cube box iu use in Australia, but he is perfectly satisfied from inquiry and observation that there is no ground whatever for objection to an oblong box. He is confirmed in his opinion that New Zealand producers should decidedly adhere to a form of package which will be a distinguishing feature of the production of their colony. Opinions were also favourable regarding New Zealand cheese, and during last season a large portion of this export from the colony went. to Scotland for distribution. He expects to hear of & gooes demand from Scotland next year for New Zealand dairy produce of good quality. Unfortunately the growing demand and increasing distribution noted in dairy produce cannot be recorded of New Zealand meat. The distribution of New Zealand meat throughout Scotland is infinitesimal, and the meat seems to bo obtained only for customers who,have, asked specially for it. ; . New Zealand mutton cannot compete with River Plate mutton in the neighbourhoods usually supplied by the latter, as iu these districts quality is scarcely of so much importance as cheapness, so ' long' as - the quality is not too inferior, and in this River Plate mutton is improving. In his interviews with high-class butchers selling, home-killed meat, Mr Cameron found that they have no desire to introduce New Zealand mutton to their customers. They acknowledge the merits of New Zealand meat, but ;say that there is no demand for it amongst their customers, and they certainly do not want to create it.* Mr Cameron says that there is areally good field for the distribution of New Zealand mutton and lamb in Scotland amongst the better classes if only proper means were taken to introduce these meats to notice in an attractive and thorough manner.

With regard to the weekly produce cable from London, Mr Cameron says that the quotations cabled will be the average price for the week in London for the choicest quality of New Zealand butter and the finest quality of New. Zealand cheese, or, until New Zealand produce is on the market, for similar qualities from Canada. The Canadian production is very RiTmlar to that received from New Zealand, and he trusts that therefore this arrangement will be satisfactory. There would be no advantage in quoting the highest and lowest prices for all grades. Satisfactory information is contained in the quotation of the average price for one stipulated quality, and therefore each producer, having received this guidance, must use his own judgment in valuing bis make accordingly.