"SCRAMBLE" FOR MEAT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22059, 15 March 1935, Page 5

"SCRAMBLE" FOR MEAT

EXPORT TRADE CONDITIONS REFLECTION OF QUOTA FEAR PRICES ABOVE LONDON PARITY It is claimed by interests in tho meat export trade that buying operations in New Zealand this season have been something like a scramble for supplies, due indireetly to quota fears. -It is realised that if restrictions are placed on the export of meat to Great Britain, tbe Meat Producers' Board or some other official organisation will have to control the buying and exporting trade. Possibly, individual allotments to exporting firms will be necessary. According to views expressed yesterday, this has resulted in some firms making every effort to increase their turnover in order to claim a larger share of tho trade, if it is apportioned. Competition for supplies has been very keen in the 'Auckland Province during the current season, and buyers have often found it necessary to advance their limits higher than intended in order to maintain their connections. This keenness cannot be attributed wholly to the tone of the London market, it is claimed. It is stated that tho "on hooks" prices paid, after allowing for exchange and for costs and other charges, have been consistently above London parity. Some firms fear that they will lose on a good deal of their business this season.

It is stated that the producers in New Zealand are receiving higher prices comparatively than* in the other meat exporting countries. Probably the most severe competition exists in the market for pigs. There is no definite buying schedule in existence, and the limits being paid vary.

FLAVOUR OF BUTTER EMULATION OF DANISH EXPERIMENTS IN DOMINION ' New Zealand experiments in the production of a batter having the mild flavour of the Danish article do not; augur v.'ell for the successful outcome of similar experiments now being made in Victoria. Professor W. Riddet, director of the Dairy Research Institute at Pahnerston North, has advised, in response to an inquiry by the Hebald, that the institute carried out a series of trials in January and February, 1931, which aimed at determining whether butter with a typical Danish flavour could be made in New Zealand, and exported to .Britain, withobt losing its good quality. It was conclusively proved that, when butter is made from cream in which high acidity has been developed, as is customary in Denmark, the flavour of such butter is not preserved during long storage and transport. Even when comparatively low degrees <of acidity are developed in fresh cream by, the addition of starter, as is commonly practised in Denmark, the butter made from such cream goes off in flavour during storage. In extreme cases the flavour becomes distinctly fishy, while in other cases it becomes tallowy. "In the course of this and subsequent experimental work done at the institute," Professor Riddet continues, "it has been shown that when butter is made from fresh cream, it is very acceptable to all sections of the British trade. A mild lactic flavour can be imparted to butter by the addition of a trace of starter, but only in such amounts as not to influence the acidity of the cream and thereby affect the keeping quality of the butter. "By other modifications in the process of manufacture, it is possible to develop a mild flavour of the Danish type, but trade opinion in Great Britain advises that it is sounder policy for New Zealand to aim at the manufacture of butter with a rich creamy flavour typical of its best tjian to attempt" to export butter of distinctive Danish flavour."

WOOLWORTHS (SYDNEY), LTD. DIVIDEND OF 12$ PER CENT The accounts of Woohvorths, Limited. Sydney, for the year ended January 31, show a net profit of £100,418, after making provision of £50,000 for taxation, compared with £85,552 earned in the previous year, after taxation provision of £40,000, according to private advice received in Auckland. A final dividend" and bonus of 7 per. cent has -been declared, making tho ordinary dividend 12} per cent for tho year. The full dividend and bonus in tho previous year was 25 per cent?: but a bonus issue of three ordinary shares for every two held was made last July. NORTH CANTERBURY FLOUR A net profit of £2724, compared with £2355 in the previous year, is shown in the accounts of the North Canterbury Co-operative Flour Milling Exporting and Agency Company, Limited, for tho year ended January 31. Dividend is unchanged at 7£ per cent..