RETAILING BUTTER

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3495, 3 November 1926, Page 5

RETAILING BUTTER

THE POUND PAT. PAINS AND PENALTIES. Following a careful readjustment of weights and measures in respect to butter pats, or lbs., there is a general feeling of unrest prevalent amongst local butter-makers, writes the Marlborough correspondent of tho “New Zealand Dairyman.” Recent inspection at stores and factories has caused quite a flutter on those farms which specialise in supplying home-made butter to tho country stores, etc. Tho “powers that be” are insisting on at least a quarter of an ounce overweight, to allow for shrinkage and loss of weight by any other moans. .The farmer's wife is so afraid of a penalty that a little r? over the ioz. is added to bo sure of being on the safe side, and this allowance constitutes quite a largo item 'in a churning. In future the maker’s name and district must, be clearly shown on the package, not written, but printed, and the word “pound” must take tho place of tho familiar “pat.” The word “pat” gave the dairyman a freer feeling, as it was sold as a pat, not a pound. Anyway, it is to be a pound in future. The description must contain tho requite words, and read thus: "Mrs John Jones, separator butter, 11b net, Picton.” The maker is liable, not the storekeeper. Any short-weight pats ho absorbs. The maker gets no record of price for disposal. Separator butter must be included in the description, as if the purchaser cannot see that tho parcel contains butter. Seems as if one must guarantee it Is not grease—a difficulty in midsummer! However, the tightening up is making a shortage in dairy butter or the home-separated article at the stores.