Complaints About Butter

Northern Advocate, 9 January 1948, Page 4

Complaints About Butter

. WELLINGTON, Fri. (P.A.).—Complaints about the indifferent quality of butter received by a number of consumers in Wellington during the past few days have been brought to the attention of the Minister of Marketing,! (Mr Cullen), who said that a thorough investigation of the Wellington local, market had been made. i A report revealed that there had been considerable overstocking in many instances, both by retailers and householders. Individual cases of consumers who were consistantly purchasing a full month’s supply of butter at one time ■ suggested that some purchasers had not realised that the hot summer weather now being experienced would, cause even the best butter to deterior-1 ate. !

The Minister said, in any case there was no need for consumers to purchase more than a week's supplies at any one time. THREE WEEKS OLD Cases of retailers selling butter three weeks old had also been discovered not withstanding that they had had deliveries to their stores at least once, and sometimes twice each week. “There is provision in the Butter Marketing Regulations for me, as Minister, to prohibit any retailer from further sales of butter if he is found to be storing it or handling in a manner to cause undue deterioration,” said the Minister.

“In fairness to,the majority of retailers, who are giving good service in this direction, it may, unless the position improves become necessary for me to take action with regard to the indifferent retailer who is causing much of the complaint. CONSUMERS CAN ASSIST “Consumers can assist by purchasing butter regularly and by reporting immediately to the Internal Marketing Division any case of butter received from a retailer in bad condition.

“The Marketing Divison docs not actually process or deliver butter, but it does ensure that all butter for the local market is of the highest grade available and that it is not held after manufacture any longer than two or three days before its delivery to the retailer.”