MOISTURE IN BUTTER.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVII, Issue 10239, 31 August 1909, Page 2

MOISTURE IN BUTTER.

(Per Press Association.) Auckland, August 30. At the Police Court this afternoon, before Mr Kettle. S.M., the New Zealand Dairy Association was charged with having, on February 20, exported from the Dominion butter which contained more than 16 per cent, of water. Mr Mays, who appeared for the depal tment, said that since the last day on which the case v. as before the court he had received telegraphic instructions to withdraw the information. Apparently the Government was satisfied with public attention having been draw n to the matter, and did not wish a punitive conviction. At anyrate, his instructions were to withdraw. Mr Kettle: On what ground do they withdraw it? Mr Mays: The primary object of the prosecution was to direct attention to it. Mr Kettle :The primary object of a prosecution is to punish an evasion of the law. Mr Mays (handing up the telegram to Ins Worship) : That's all I know of it. His Worship (reading): "Please withdraw case against New Zealand Dairy Association, the latter to pay all costs." Who is this from ? added Mr Kettle. Mr Mays: That is fro mtlie secretary of Agriculture. ilr Kettle: Under whose instructions does he withdraw the prosecution? Mr Mays: I wired the result of the previous hearing, and that is the reply I received.' Mr Kettle: I want some evidence as to the reason why this prosecution is being withdrawn. 31 r Hanna (for the defence): This is most unsatisfactory to us. I say defi-. nitely and absolutely that we are perfectly content to meet the charge made against us. A great deal of publicity lias been given to this case, and a lot of statements made which we are anxious to refute. 3rr Kettle (to 3lr Mays): Have you no proper grounds for withdrawing this information ? If not, I will not consent to its withdrawal. 3lr 3lays: I know nothing more about it. I assume that the Government is satisfied with drawing attention to the matter. After some further discussion his Worship, at 3lr Hanna's request, reinstated the case, and granted an adjournment for a week to enable the prosecution to get its witnesses.