FARMING TOPICS.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXV, Issue 1868, 12 March 1913, Page 6

FARMING TOPICS.

IS DANISH BUTTER BEST?

SIR A. BATEMAN SAYS NOT Wellington, Yesterday.

Subjects intimately connected with the agricultural industry were discussed before tiie Empire Trade Commission to day. f Mr E. Clifton, Director of Experimental Farms of the Department of Agriculture, said, in reply to a question, that the whole question ot grading produce for export was under consideration. The grading of dairy produce was a primary necessity.

Sir Alfred Bateman: Why is it that Danish butter commands a higher price in London than the New Zealand article. I much prefer the butter I have seen here to the Danish butter sold in London. Witness: Perhaps the Danes have learned to market their produce to better advantage. Mr Tatlow: Is itjjnot because of the regularity of the Danish supplies.

Witness: "We hear that." He added that dairy factories were very anxious to send, regular supplies. Mr J. G. Wilson, president of the Farmers' Union, showed from statistics that many hundreds of farm labourers were required in all parts of the country. Farmers were realising that they must build houses and encourage married men to go into the country, where they could bring up their children properly. He considered the Sedgwick boys scheme had, speaking generally, been a great success. Speaking of land values, he said dairying had largely disturbed land values. Very hijjh/ prices were paid for good dairying land. As much as £ls per cow was netted. That was with purebred stock. In reply to a question, witness said a scheme was at present under consideration in New Zealand for the formation of a large co-operative concern, whose business it would be to look after the distribution of frozen produce at home.