The Northern Advocate Daily MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 1935. N.Z. BUTTER AT HOME

Northern Advocate, 19 August 1935, Page 4

The Northern Advocate Daily

MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 1935. N.Z. BUTTER AT HOME

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It was distinctly gratifying to learn last week that Britain’s imports of butter during 1034 came principally from Empire sources, amounting to no less than 54 per cent, of the total. This was the best on record, and must be regarded as highly satisfactory. What is of more interest to New Zealand is that, for the first time, Dominion supplies exceeded those of Denmark. Australia occupied third place, with roughly 500,000 hundredweight less than New Zealand. It is naturally .very pleasing to hear that New Zealand has at lastheaded its great Danish competitor, but it of more importance that butter should be increasing in popularity in Britain. Last year, it is reported, consumption per head of population was 25.2 lbs, an increase of 6.3 lbs, compared with 1930, while margarine showed a drop, compared with 1930, of 4 lbs per head. This fall, undoubtedly, is due largely to the fact that cheap butter is more attractive to the consumer than cheap margarine, but it may also be accepted as evidence that the quality of New Zealand butter, and the method of its marketing, have been improved, and that more care is being taken to provide the flavour which the people of the Old Country prefer. There is no room for question that quality lies at the root of any permanent success that may be hoped for. Selling methods are admittedly of great value, but salesmen, if they are to hold their own against competitors, must be able to offer an article that compares more than favourably in quality and price with the competing article. The Dairy i Board has emphasised this need, \ and the assistance which the Gov-j eminent has placed at the dis- 1

•posal of dairy-farmors. in .fk«' shape of cheap money with which to improve dairies, shows that it is alive to the vital importance of this matter. It cannot he denied that Denmark butter, which'is put on the British market almost fresh from the churn, whereas the New Zealand product must be carried in cool storgo'c for several weeks, enjoys an advantage, which is reflected ni price, but that fact constitutes the greater reason why New Zealand should strain every nerve to produce a butter which shall ho cl its own with its more favourably situated competitor. It is good to know that this need is recognised. and that the efforts New Zealand is making are hearing good fruit. _