More Butter Graded Finest Last Year

Northern Advocate, 5 August 1949, Page 3

More Butter Graded Finest Last Year

WELLINGTON. Fri. (Sp.). The percentage of butter graded finest in the 1948-49 season was the highest for 10 years. The annual report of the Department of Agriculture, presented to the House of Representatives yesterday, stated this. Cheese gradings showed an increase of 1.24 per cent over the figures for the previous year. Although defects in colour detracted from some of the Auckland butters, the bulk was oi good quality, the report stated. The quality of whey butter throughout the Dominion was acceptable, with the exception of Auckland. Although some of the Auckland whey butters were satisfactory, there was room for considerable improvement in some brands. There was an all-round improvement in cheese graded in Auckland. One pleasing feature was a reduction in the quantity of lower scoring lines, and also that the cheese was more uniform in character. •The department examined butter which had been stored in Auckland and Wellington after about three months. While the Wellington butters turned out very satisfactory, the results at Auckland were not so pleasant. It was disappointing to see a number of brands which had been classed originally as premium not satisfactory in that class on re-examination Promise To Britain Notice was given by Mr W. A. Sheat (O—Patea) to ask the Minister of Agriculture (Mr Cullen) if he would clarify the position as to any undertakings entered into by the Government with the British Government to ensure a substantial increase in food production during the next five years. Mr Sheat sought an indication of the Government's plans for assisting the fulfilment of such an undertaking “by the removal of those obstacles which have impeded the expansion of production in recent years.” He said that Mr F. P. Walsh, a member of the Dairy Products Marketing Commission, had stated that New Zealand had promised a 25 per cent increase in production by 1954, but other members of the commission had been less definite in their statements.