BUTTER FOR EXPORT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14809, 12 October 1911, Page 7

BUTTER FOR EXPORT.

A BIG SHIPMENT.

THE - ROiORUA'S CARGO.'

VALUE FOR: £41,875.

The butter season is now in full swing, and increasing quantities are coming in from the factories for' the purposes of export. On Saturday the steamer Rotorua leaves for London, via Wellington, and will take the third shipment of butter from < the Auckland province for this season. This will consist of 12,500 boxes, equal to 6250cwt. Compared with the shipment for the corresponding- period of last year, when the Tongariro took 11,279 boxes, the present shipment shows an increase of 1221 boxes, equal to about 10 per cent. Up to the present, including the Rotorua's shipment, the export of butter reaches a total of 22,835 boxes, as" compared with 26,195 , boxes for the corres-

ponding period of last year. This leaves a shortage of 3360 boxes on the present season's operations. Prior to the present shipment the short-age was 4581 boxes, so that this deficit has been wiped out to the extent of 25 per cent. It is anticipated, that the whole of the deficit will be wiped out with about two more shipments. In any event the fact that sO much leeway has been made up in spite of the fact that the season started fully a fortnight later than usual, is cause for congratulation, and augurs well'for an increased output for the season. Prices for butter in the Home market are : exceedingly good just now, -. being higher than at this time last year. According to the High Commissioner's latest cablegram, the market is firm with an upward tendency generally, and active demand. Best Danish butter ; is; quoted ,at 148s per cwt. and Australian at 1345. The new season's butter from New ■ Zealand has not yet reached London, so that no quotations for New Zealand , butter are: given. Throughout last season,. New Zealand butter was invariably; quoted at a much higher figure than the Australian article. In view of this fact it would probably be under-estimating to place the value of New Zealand butter at 140s per cwt. However, calculating on the basis of the price quoted for Australian butter, viz., 1345, the Rotorua's cargo works out at the handsome total of * £41,875. At present the indications are . that good prices will be maintained throughout the season. , . < Rain is again badly needed in the country, the grass being somewhat retarded in its growth by the dry weather that has prevailed lately. Should a heavy down-, fall come shortly, however, there seems no reason to doubt that the Auckland province will. again be . favoured with a record season, as there are now a great number of herds and more dairy farmers in the province than was the ; case last year.