"SUPERFINE CHEESE"

Manawatu Times, Volume LII, Issue 3527, 17 June 1927, Page 4

"SUPERFINE CHEESE"

PREMIUM NOT WARRANTED, Before leaving New Zealand Mr. Motion and myself were asked by the Board to carefully consider whether or not a “superfine” grade should be provided fof cheese, said Mr. W. A. lorns, chairman of the London Agency, in his report to the Dairy Produce Board. Wc have a • good deal of attention to the matter jon our arrival in London and after a | thorough examination of the facts 'came to the conclusion that it would Ibo a mistake to introduce another grade. I had been satisfied by actual demonstration that it was impossible in grading cheese a fortnight after it had been made to discriminate between “Superfine” and “First.” The fact was that buyers could not see the difference in value of 1/- per cwt. between the two brands. But notwithstanding our advice and a strong recommendation by the allottoes, the Board persisted in the two grades and the two prices, with the result that the agents wore instructed to sell no more ‘First” of recent arrival till they had cleaned up tho accumulated, stocks of “Finest.” This meant that a great quantity of “First,” which otherwise would have been sold without any carrying charge, had to go into store. Many times we were approached by the importers with a request to release the “First” stocks, but, because the allottees were not allowed to sell until tho “Finest” had been cleared, buyers left tho floors to make their purchases from one of tho Dominion’s rivals. I am satisfied that the extra grade is a mistake and that a grave, injustice is being done to the markers of “First” by paying 3/4 a crate to factories that turn out “Finest” which has been in store only fourteen days. I must congratulate tho Taranaki members of the Board upon ■ their consistent opposition to this unfair preference. That tho Board at this end wa s not left in ignorance of tho facts may he gathered from the following cables I addressed to this office on January 14 and February 22 respectively:— “Desire to point out to the Board relative to position superfine first grade cheese now prevailing. Wc have this week six large Importers with only superfine cheese stocks in hand- Have given instructions this must be cleared before recently discharged quantity put up for sale. With market steady buyers prefer first grade cheese not appreciating superfine at 1/- extra. Suggest that Board’ reconsider premium offered superfine alternative raise grading superfine. Experienced sellers to date Indicate difference between market value negligible both grades this season generally good quality. N. A. lorns.” “Experience to date shows cannot get shilling premium total quantity finest cheese. All agents concur. Consideration extra storage shrinkage incurred Finest May realise lower nett price than First shipped at the same time suggest raise grading Finest in order to reduce it to maximum. 20 per cent. W. A. lorns.”