MARKETING OF BUTTER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21562, 5 August 1933, Page 15

MARKETING OF BUTTER

Sir, —At present there is much written and said about butter quotas. As one recently returned from Britain, let me state how I found matters there. In Glasgow I called on many storekeepers, always insisting on buying New Zealand butter, but latterly owing to poor quality, 1 was compelled to buy Danish. I was on board a Bteamer newly arrived from Now Zealand. The hatches were opened by tho Lord Provost of Glasgow. Eighty motorlorries, with flags flying, paraded tho streets proclaiming the world's best. The scene to me took on a comic aspect as I noticed in the harbour eheds, prior to loading said lorries, that three* out of every five lots wero second grade. People at Homo hear nothing about second-grade butter, bnt only know from advertisements of New Zealand's best. Latterly I heard it Etated, if your butter is New Zealand's best we don't want it, and will willingly pay twopence per lb. more for Danish. Is this fair to our farmers? Danish is always one grade—the finest —made to-day and on the market four days- later. I observed recently an article by Mr. Ford, manager of the Clyde Trust, Gilasgow. Ho wrote that if New Zealand had efficient representation in Scotland 100,000 tons of butter could be absorbed annually—tnost of which comes through London—adding considerably to costs and making all the difference between success aiid failure. I bad two interviews with Mr. Ford and asked what was wrong. IT is reply was identical to above. Mr. Ford stated that in 1932 only 21 steamers arrived with New Zealand produce, but he hoped that in 1933, with tho help of dairy man'agers here, to have 50 vessels entering. His article in tho Herald does not indicate much improvement. Wo all wish our Dominion to succeed in every way. It is up to factory managers and farmers to produce one quality only, "the very best." I left Scotland at the end of January this year. Shopkeepers wero classifying all colonial butter as "Empire," thus reducing New Zealand to the'common status of all colonial butters. Formerly, New Zealand was lecond only to Danish. Now we are no better than those previously considered touch our inferiors. G'en Afton. John Milmgan.