TRADE EMISSARY

Northern Advocate, 23 May 1929, Page 8

TRADE EMISSARY

TOOLEY STREET IMPORTER TX XOKTH.

NEW Z!:; ALA X U BETTER AT 110 AIK.

PROSPECTS AND PREJUDICES

Understandings between this Dominion mul Britain have often been .improved by visits from statesmen, and it is only fit!ini’ 1 that our commercial interests should also be brought closer in touch with those of the Mother Country, which is also our best customer. Therefore the visits of such men as Air C. J. Pollard partner in the (inn of Samuel Page and Sou, one of the most influential butter importing firms in Tooley Street, is welcomed and appreciated. Mr Pollard, who arrived in Auckland on the Niagara, and is commencing a tour of New Zealand in the North Auckland district, was chairman of the Home and Foreign Produce Exchange in 192.°., and it was owing to his initiative that the name was changed in that year to The London Provision Exchange, the former style apparently, though not intentionally, being exclusive of produce from Australia, Canada, Now Zealand and

South Africa. At present ho is a member of the general committee of the London Provision Exchange, chairman of the Provision Importers’ Association, chairman of the Australian Dairy Produce Importers’ Association, member of the Now Zealand Dairy Produce Importers’ Association, and Fellow of the Institute of Certificated Grocers.

Ho therefore lias many qualifications to speak advisedly upon the marketing of New Zealand butter and cheese, and other aspects of our principal .trade on the other side of the world.

“The question is constantly being asked me, ‘Do you .think New Zealand dairy produce is deteriorating?’ ” Mr Pollard told an “Advocate”’ representative in an interview yesterday. “My opinion is that it' the average total score of points given to New Zealand butter today is compared with the average total score in 1913-14, it would be found higher now than then, so that looking upon the question from that viewpoint, the quality has not gone back: but it may be that less samples of exceptionally line butter are being turned out. Sometimes butter which actually in New Zealand grades tire highest, ' when it reaches the London market is not quite as good as a specimen which grades lower in this country. The very richness, which gives such outstanding qualities, their beauty of flavour, and secures them the higher grading marks may cause them to lose the gloss of their perfection in travelling and storage, while less fine butters may withstand such difficulties better. Yes perhaps there are not so many brands today of outstanding perfection as there were a few years ago, but the whole product of the Dominion has been raised to a higher average standard. There is a very high level over the whole bulk, and' seconds and thirds reach, us in only insignificant

quantities. “Regarding' the constant controversy as 'to which is the world’s best commercial butter I am firmly of the opinion that New Zealand butter, when made, compares even more than favourably with the Danish product. The sample I have just had at .dinner, for instance, probably is not excelled anywhere but after the long journey it is not surprising iff the article loses a little of its perfection. “The get-up of New Zealand butter is Al, and careful ,packing ensures a good passage,” said Mr Dollar, di in. answer to a question, “The system, instituted by the Government, and paid for by the producer, that all New Zealand butter, whether sold or not, immediately goes into cold storage, is a very good one,” he continued. “It is one of the factors that provide a guarantee to the Trade, and more faith is placed , in the product than would otherwise be the case. It has tended to popularise the produce of the Dominion, Asked whether there were indications of further countries entering into serious competition on the English market, Mr Pollard said there was more likely to be too little than too much butter, in. the world. Butter was being eaten in surprisingly increased quantities. In England it was not because margarine sales had gone down, but because the demand for butter had gone up, that sales had increased, and would continue doing so as the standard of living progressed, Mr Pollard commented' humorouslv

upon his knowledge of Hew Zealand gained from trade acqua-intainship, and mentioned a lengthy list of dairy factories, the location of which would puzzle many a Now Zealander, Included in these was Maungaturoto, “That is a name I will never forget. When writing out contracts etc. its very length arrests one, and it is really a penance to the clerks.” The firm of Samuel Page and. Sou in ISSI handled the first- consignment I of butter from Australia- shipped in a, refrigerated, vessel, and Mr Pollard’s' visit is made more interesting by the; fact that he is now actually seeingj places which he had only been. ac-| qua luted, with hitherto as indicating brands of -butter. Many of them are well known among -the traders in the United Kingdom and are readily saleaide on their reputation without- in-

spoetion, “I have come to Now Zealand to investigate producing conditions, exchange ideas with the producers, and incidentally, with Mrs Pollard, to spend what I anticipate will be a very pleasant and informative time,-”