BUTTER FROM RUSSIA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20924, 14 July 1931, Page 5

BUTTER FROM RUSSIA.

HOSTILITY IN BRITAIN. DISCOVERY OF A "TICK." "GRAVE MENACE TO HEALTH." [from our own correspondent.] LONDON, June 12. Marked success has attended the cam* paign in England against the dumping of Russian butter, and it is reported that all efforts to dispose of the most-recently landed cargo have failed. The earlier shipments were sold readily enough, but the publicity given to the dumping and the discovery of a "tick" in a Russian parcel has put a definite check upon the success of the Russian trade. A warning against Soviet butter has been given by Mr. Cecil Warburton, the Royal Agricultural Society's zoologist, who identified the tick, which was found in Russian butter at a Cambridge College. The authorities of the college have stated that they purchased the butter believing it was English. They have cancelled all further orders from the firm which supplied it.' Considerable indignation prevails among students and the townspeople and shopkeepers are now being asked to give theorigin of the butter which they sell. In an interview with a Daily Express representative, Mr. Warburton stated: "There is not tho slightest doubt that the butter came from Russia. The ticks, which are animal parasites and convey disease, are found only in Russia. The tick exists on animals, sucks their blood and spreads disease. The presence of the tick ill butter is a danger to people in this country, and the insanitary conditions under which butter' is handled in Russia make it a grave menace to health. It should be a warning to the health authorities to see that the public is better safeguarded against the danger of disease through infected food." Details of Origin Wanted. The latest development is the announcement by the largest provision firms .that no Russian butter is mixed with the butter they retail. This announcement has been made by the following firms:—Harrods, Limited, Hpme and Colonial Stores, Limited, International Tea Company's Stores, Limited, John Barker and Company, Limited, J. Sainsbury, Lipton, Limited, Maypole Dairy Company, Limited, Meadow Dairy Company, Limited. Probably for the first time in the long history of the organised butter trade the consuming public are asking where the butter they buy comes from. The report of the Standing-Committee on the marking of butter which has been published this week has given renewed impetus to this tendency. It may safely be said that half of these firms whose-retail shops run into many thousands had never developed what might be called the Imperial conscience. Sentiment never before entered into their butter business. Now, however, they have seen-the trend of public opinion, and they have acted accordingly.: The British farmer is complaining bitterly—and with good reason—of the unfair treatment that lie is receiving from tha Government in the matter of the Soviet dumped butter, says the Daily Mail. If he is being undersold it is simply because the dice are loaded against him by our authorities. He is taxed, inspected and regulated to an extent which puts up his costs to'high figures, while the Sovipt State farm can do as it likes and employs forced labour. Quality Defended. The public has no desire to encourage the sale of this Russian stuff. Many housewives will not touch it at any price.In simple justice to the British farmer customers ought always to be informed when Soviet butter or any other kind of Soviet produce is being supplied to them.The British farmer, after all, has the right in his own country to a square deal. Mr. J. J. Volik, chairman of Selosoyus. Limited, in a statement issued yesterday; regarding what he describes as "misrepresentations" regarding the quality of butter imported from Russia, writes:—"Tha conditions of production and preparation of butter for export from Russia are such that the highest hygienic standards are assured. The butter is produced at large mechanised dairies under conditions of absolute cleanliness, and the quality of the butter is further assured by the exceptional thoroughness of the grading." Mr. Yolik is perhaps right in his" assertions regarding the quality of Soviet butter, but he is probably realising that even in England propaganda can be used to prevent what is an undesirable trade from an Imperial point of view. Questions in Parliament.

The report of the discovery of a " tick " was referred to at question tima in the House of Commons.

Sir N. Grattan-Doyle (Conservative)' asked the Minister of Health whether ha had any statement to make concerning the report of Mr. Warburton, in reference to a foreign body designated as a "parasite" discovered by him in a sample of Russian butter purchased in Cambridgeshire, and whether there was any danger of infection from such foreign body contained in an article of food. ..V'. Mr. Greenwood: I have no information oil the subject, except what has appeared in the press. I am making "inquiries and will communicate with the hon. member. Sir JS T . Grattan-Doyle: Does the Minis* ter realise the gravity of what has occurred, and the possibility of infection being conveyed to this countiy by Asiatic parasites, which are entirely new to this country ? Mr. Greenwood: I have no knowledge myself that one dead parasite will cause much harm to anyone. Mr. Guinness (Conservative): Will tha Minister consult the Minister of Agriculture as to whether this may not be a case of bringing into force his powers cf prohibiting imports ?

Mr. Greenwood: Thai is one of the matters into which inquiry is being made.

Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy (Labour): Do these parasites breed in mares' nests ? (Laughter.) •" No answer was given.