EXPORTATION OF BUTTER

Northern Advocate, 31 March 1888, Page 4

EXPORTATION OF BUTTER

Speaking at a meeting of the British Dairy Fanners' Association in June last, Mr Jnbal Webb, one of the most extensive purchasers of butter on the London market, having alluded to the importance of preparing butter to suit the taste of consumers, and in accordance with the fashion of the present day, said it was well-known to the trade that butter put up in an unsightly or objectionable manner, however good the quality, would meet but a slow and languid demand. The main points to be considered by shippers to the London market, he stated, are " uniformity of quality, cleanliness and handiness of package, combined with the best protection while in transit from ontside and often objectionable influences, to which all commercial articles are liable." The consequences which inevitably follow a disregard of these require tnentsaremademanifestby the following extract from a letter under date London, December 16, 1887, addressed by Messrs Lewis and Innis to Messrs Nimmo and Blair, of Dunedin :— "Butter: The weather is all against arise in the market, but late arrivals from New South Wales have not enabled us to realize top values. It is the old storey of irregularity in quality and appearance. We have had to sell what was professedly the same make as the first shipment as low as 98s. One buyer exclaimed, ' We never know what we are buying with your colonial produce. 9 This is a grave charge ; and really therein lies the secret of non-succr ss. Colonial buttermakers will not take the trouble necessary for the London market; they think their rough-and-ready style will do for this country, but it is a grand mistake. The last arrival from New South Wales was in second-hand cases, plug-hole, and with rusty rails." In illustration of the different and imperfect ideas of Home market requirements entertained by dairy farmers here, an incident may be mentioned connected with the shipment recently of two small lots of butter in one of the direct steamers. One farmer, by the payment of Id per Ib, obtained space for his consignment in the cold chamber; the other to save a £d per lb, sent his among the general cargo. The second lot may possibly reach London in good condition, the chances are, however, against, while it will certainly be knocked about considerable, and must appear unsightly when landed.