NEW ZEALAND BUTTER.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4301, 9 March 1901, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND BUTTER.

ITS QUALITY RECOGNISED BY THE LONDON TRADE.

A GROWING REPUTATION

The report of the London Produce Commissioner to the Department of Agriculture on the Loudon dairy produce market, dated February Ist, contains confirmation of.the many gratifying reports which, have reached this colony of the reputation which New Zealand butter is gaining on the London market. Mr Cameron says: “I have, during the past three weeks been making numerous calls on those houses who have been handling New Zealand dairy produce on the London market, for the purpose of ascertaining accurately what satisfaction is being given them by the butter now coming forward, and also in order that I might be certain that the quotations of prices I am cabling each week to the colony were accurate. “I have felt somewhat anxious lest the good reports which have been so generally sent out "regarding the improvement of - quality of this season’s butter when compared with that of former years, may cause producers in the colony to become somewhat self-satis-fied, and to relax their efforts towards further improvement. The reports I find arc, however, perfectly genuine, and the result of the improvement, I am pleased to say, is that the butter is steadily finding its way into hands that had not previously touched it. “ I have been taken to task by one of the leading houses who handle New Zealand butter hero for reporting too favourably on the quality, and for quoting prices above those ruling on the market. This has naturally made, me keen to prove my position, and has prompted ,mo to make extended inquiries. The result is that lam thoroughly satisfied that the reports and quotations cabled by me to have been perfectly accurate and reliable, whatever fault may be found with them by those interested.”

Speaking of prices, Mr Cameron savs that there has been a drop in butter'of 2s per owt. during the week previous to writing, and that 108 s was now the fair average quotation for “choicest.” Milled butter was selling well, as the quality suitable for the shilling “cutting” trade in factory butter had been limited.

The lately-arrived chocsd, Mr Cameron found, after a thorough examination, to be of a rather uneven quality. Some was really “fine-mild” and •well made, hut a number of lots are decidedly “off flavour,” a few also being “strong” and “soft.” Prices had been, irregular, and had been inclined to fall, but 52s was being accepted in some cases for good brands, some of the inferior makes selling as low •as ■ 465. There was no doubt but that there will have to be. considerable losses made by those purchasers who paid the top price for cheese in the colony this season before they will be able to clear their stocks.