New Zealand Butter

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6747, 4 January 1932, Page 9

New Zealand Butter

THE BETWEEN SEASON. A QUALITY PEOBLEM. Many high-class retailers -who previously were not favourable to New Zealand butter now find that the growing public demand for it necessitates their stocking it. Naturally, however, they wish to buy the finest grade. It is, therefore, most unfortunate that they cannot get the finest grade just at the moment. Although the question of distinct seasonal supplies from New Zealand has to a certain extent been overcome by judicious regulation of shipments there is a period still remaining—extending from September 1 to the end of October —when supplies of finest grades become unduly short. As this also is the period when store-stale butter makes its appearance on the market there is a distinct increase in complaints as to the quality of New Zealand butter at this time. This is assuredly a matter for the consideration of the authorities in New Zealand. In the past retailers have preferreo to sell butter as their own ‘‘best.” They havo maintained that certain butters go off at certain seasons of the year. They disliked giving a narno to New Zealand butter; for instance, because their customers might get used to it when it was in the best condition, and continue to ask for it between sea sons when the retailer was not buying it. They preferred to keep up their standard of quality irrespective of whether the butter came from New Zealand, Australia, Ireland or whether it was blended. Now that New Zealand butter has a name and retailers are more inclined to sell it as such, it is most necessary that at no season should its quality decline. Not only does store-stale or inferior butter injure the effects of the continuous and judicious jmblieity that is going on, but it constitutes a breach of faith with retailers and the public. In this connection it may be stated that the order for marking butter given under the Merchandise Marks Act recently is not likely to come into force for a month or two yet. When an order is recommended by the Standing Committee it has to lie on the table of the House of Parliament for 20 consecutive sitting days. Tho ‘‘House of Parliament” includes the Houso of Lords. The Commons meet five days a week when in session, but the Lords may meet only threo days a week. The Order was laid on the table on September 16, and so far as the Commons were concerned about half the necessary time had passed when Parliament dissolved. So far as the Houso of Lords was concerned only about a quarter of the period had expired. It is hoped that the full period will have expired by the end of the year in sufficient time to send an application to the first meeting of the Privy Council in January. After that threo months has to elapse before the Order comes into operation.

LONDON, Nov. 5,