BUTTER-BOX BRANDING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12604, 6 March 1903, Page 4

BUTTER-BOX BRANDING.

I A statement which was made by the Dairy Commissioner at the Conferenco of Canterbury and North Otago members of the National Dairy Association, held at Lyttelton last week, ought-not to be allowed to 30 unnoticed. Mr Kinsella said tlwt, while lie had had the support of the Dairy Association in the proposal that exporters .should not be allowed to buy producers' butter and ship it under their own brand, he was sorry to say that the Government had not given effect to it. Ho held that each factory should have only one brand, but he regretted that it had been decided by the Premier that factories should bo allowed to have more than 0110 brand. The Dairy Commissioiier added that where factories were shipping under four or five brands 110 particular brand ever became known 011 any one markot, and be stated as a-fact within his knowledge that the factories which wevo shipping; under one brand were getting more for their butter than those which were using several brands. The question tlmt is thus raised is not a new one. In October last we called attention to the fact that tho revised export regulations under the Dairy Industry Act, drafted by the Department of Agriculture and intended to bn re-issued under Order-in-Conncil, had not been sealed or signed by tho Governor, and that, taking advantage of that circumstance, a section of the Wellington exporters were bringing strong pressure to bear upon the Premier and Sir J. G. Ward to get them to allow buyers to put whatever brand they pleased on the butter purchased for export. Evidently, from Mr Kinsella's statement, the Premier has yielded to that pressure, and .this in the face of the strongly-expressed opinion of tho Government's Dairy Commissioner and the protest of the Dairy Associations of both islands. It is instructive to contrast Mr Seddon in February, 1902, with Mr Seddon in February,. 1903. On the former date, when the same matter wan brought under his notice by the National Dairy Association, the Premier wired as follows: " I am pleased to find that the Association approves of the stand taken by the Government in respect to branding our produce for export. You may rest assured that every effort will be made to prevent the export of our produce unless boxes are indelibly branded in such a way as to prevent the same being removed. You may rely upon it that the Commissioner will remain firm arid do his duty." That telegram was called forth by the revelations concerning. the meddling with New Zealand brands practised in Australia, which enabled Commonwealth traders to ship some of our finest brands of butter as Australian, and thus exploit the South African market at our expense. A year has passed since then, and, while the Dairy Commissioner has (to use Mr

Sedtlon's own words) remained firm and done his duty, the Premier has completely changed his front by deciding that factories shall he allowed to have moro than one registered brand for export. This leaves the door wide open for many reprehensible practices, chief amongst which is the adoption by New Zealand creameries of Australian brands for export purposes. AVe have M on the authority of the Dairy Commissioner that both the reputation and tho. prico of onr butter is enhanced by the rigid enforcement of tho one-brand system. It would be interesting to ascertain by what process of reasoning the Premier lins decided, in deference to the wishes of Australian exportc-rs, to completely ignore tbs opinion of a Government expert and treat the carefullydrafted regulations of the Department of Agriculture as so much waste paper. And it would also be of some interest to lcnow what the opinion of the Minis- . ter of Agriculture is concerning this action' of the Premier. Is Mr Duncan content to allow himself to-be treated absolutely as a nonentity in a matter in which the decision should rest with himself, and is he prepared submissively to see the Dairy Commissioner flouted by Mr Seddon?

"The season for shooting imported and native game in the County of Waitaki, Otago, and Lakes district and Southland has been fixed from April 1 to June 3. Since lost communicating with the medical officer in charge of tho fever hqspital several of the patients have been discharged cured and free from infection. Very" few fresh cases are coming in, and there is every indication of the epidemic dying out. The type of cases are not scarlet fever. They properly belong to a disease called robeha. Major Lovcclay yesterday morning inspected the Mornington School Cadets, and in tho aftornoon the High Street Scho6l Cadets, Ho found bnth companies in a high state of efficiency. The head masters expressed approval of the new drill, llie musters at boih schools were very strong, tlw number being over GO in each instance. Major Lovcdny ifl much pleased with the clean, tidy appearance of the hoys and at the intelligence they displayed and their anxiety to learn, To-day Major Loveday will inspect the Caversham School and the Industrial School Cadets. A meeting of head masters of the public sohools and officers of rchool cadets will ho held.on Saturday to consider the question of forming the school cadets of Dunedin into a battalion. The polico yesterday arrested 0 young man named Grant on a charge of stealing some 15 guns, valued at about £4 each. It would appear that the guns were hired •from various gunsmiths in town 011 the pretence that they were wanted for a shooting party at Waitafi, and that they were subsequently sold tc various dealers and pawnbrokers. The saddlo and bridle alleged to have ybeen stolen from Outram by Ramsay and Cairns, at present charged with the assault and.robbery of Thomas Reid, were found by the police yesterday in the bush at Maori Hill. Tho following estates of deceased persons in Dunedin were certified to during February:—Adam Barr, £1990; Alexander Banuatync, £3454-; William M. Shore, £1186; Samuel T. Staughton, £2262; James P. Maitland, £3621; Ann Kelly, £1505; John Jenkins, £3427. Largo estates certified ■to in other parts of the colony wero:— Edmund M. Honeyfield, New Plymouth, £21,654; Alexander Humphrey, Napier, £19,074; Michael Corcoran, Auckland, £15,774; Alfred 11. Morrisb), Auckland, £13,650; Henry Mace, Christchurch, £12,188; Jessio Tutehcn, Wellington, £10,076; John frott, Chrietchnrcli, £7851;' John Trenwith, Auckland, £7075; Charles Green, Nelson, £5215. At a meeting of the Otago Trades and Labour Council last evening it was resolved to call upon workmen not to deal with any baker who is tied to the Flourmillers' combine, but, with a view to resisting tho efforts to inflate the price of bread, to purchase their bread from such bakers only as are free to buy flour from miaesociatcd millers. Mr Joseph Braithwaita asks us to state that the figure £4900 containod in our report in yestorday'a issue ofte remarks at the meeting of the City Council upon tho question of power for tho tramways.as a statement of tho annual charges on tho total capital cost of tho Lee for tho delivery of 800 e.h.p. in Dunedin should read £4860, and that "4s" as the difference per e.h.p. in favoui' of the Lee as against the Waipori for tho delivery of 800 e.h.p. in Dunedin should read 6s. Further, 110 ajgued that on the wages question the advantage was in favour of the Lee, as the transmission line was only half the distance of tho Waipori. The word "lino" did not appear in our report.

The new rooms at the Athena;um, tha contract for the eroction of which has just been completed by Messrs Foster and ' George, are to he opened to-night. Tiie occasion is to be celebrated by a converenzione, presided over by Mr J. L. Salmond, vice-president of the institution. His Worship the Mayor has consented to formally open tho new rooms, and during the course of the evening Mr T. W. Whitson will give a brief history of tho institution 6inco its foundation. A good musical programme has also been arranged. Tho vocalists will bo Mrs R. Hudson, j«n., Mr Hoigate, and the Liedertafel. .Mr A. H, Burton will contribute a reading, and the Austrian Band will play a number of selections at intervals during the evening, No formal invitations havo beea issued, but- membora and their friends are invited by advertisement *to bo present, and a largo gathering is expected. The new smoking-room will be open during the evening. The Now Zealand Times says:—"A young man who claimed to be an undergraduate of St. John's College (Cambridge), and whose reward for study was the doubtful boon of a schoolmaster's position in Taranaki at a salary of £1 per week, asked the Benevolent Trustees for money with which to defray coat of a cablegram to his father (a clergyman in England) applying for passage money to take the wanderer Home again. The applicant produced a letter which invited him to return Home, but the matter' of passage money had been overlooked because of an ill-founded belief by the father that the son had money enough to pay for the required ticket. The board decided to tomporise in tho matter with a view to testing the reliabloness of the representations made to them." At the quarterly meeting of the Geraldine Licensing Committee, on Tuesday last, tho liconse of tho Winchester Hotel was cancelled on six specific grounds—(l) that the premises are not- maintained at the required standard, (2) the foundations of the premises giving way cause the floor to be dangerous to walk upon, (3) the cuthouse conveniences are unsuitable to hotel requirement!!, (♦) the premises are out of repair and lave been allowed to become ruinous and dilapidated, (5) not sufficient facilities are provided to allow the inmates to escauo in case of a fire, and (6) great danger to life existed in the past and continues to exist if Ihe premises are allowed to oontinue in the present state. Our Naseby.correspondent writes:—"An elecfion, held oil Wednesday, to fill an extraordinary vacancy in the Borough Council caused by tho resignation of Mr A. B. King, resulted in tho return of Mr J. R. Kirk, as against Mr Joseph M'Cabe, by ft majority of four votes." At last night's meeting of the Caversham Borough Council a deputation from the local, brass band attended for the purpose of asking tho support of tho council in connection with 8' bazaar in which the ladies

of tho district have interested themselves. The Mayor (.Mr J. Wilson) expressed himself strongly in favour of the movement, and said he had taken a great interest in the band since it was started. Judging from the progress that had been made by'tho players, thcro could bo no doubt that it would prove a credit to the district. Oilier councillors spoke in similar terms, and it waa unanimously decided that the council should givo its patronage and support to any movement for tho benefit of the band. A farewell social lvas tendered on January 16 to the Rev. William Hay, pastoroieet of the Hanover Street Baptist Church, by the church at Grantown-on-Spey, which lie had served for nearly five years. The mooting was largely attended and very enthusiastic. Mr Hay was presented with a gold watch and chain by the members of tho church and congregation he was leaving "as a token of sincere regard and high appreciation of valuable servieos rendered during his pastorate." All the speakers bore testimony to tho graciousness of Mr Hay's character, the eoundnccs and earnestness of his preaching, and tho success which had attended his efforts to get a worthier building erectcd for the accommodation of the church. All complimented Mr Hay, too, on his promotion to a wider sphero. Tho church was crowded for Air Hay's farewell sermons. TII9 Bcv. A. M'C'aig, M.A., LL.Ii., principal of the Pastors' College, in which Mr Hay was trained tor the ministry, says ill a letter of commendation just to hand: "I am glad to bear testimony to tho genuine Christian character and ministerial worth of Mr Hay. I believe him to bo a true man of God and deeply dosirous of winning souls. He is a man of chcorful, sunny disposition, genial, amiable, and sympathetic.. He is a preacher of considerable ability, thoughtful, forceful, and faithful." It ie exported that Mr Hay will begin his ministry here at t!ie end of the present month.

The first of the competitions which havo some connection with the Otago A. and P. Society's winter show is now announced. This is the field turnip competition, for which entries close on March 31. There are no less than seven classes, and some valuable prizes and trophies are given.

Messrs James Samson and Co. will sell on Saturday at their rooms household furniture, piano, sowing machine, etc. Messrs Wright, Stephenson, and Co. will sell on Saturday at tlwrir saleyards young draught and light harness horses, efc. Tenders arc invited by Mr Burnside, architect, for erecting a dwelling house at Tapamu. The town clerk, St. Kilda, notifies that the district electors list is now open for inspection. The (own clerk, South Dunedin, announces that the district electors list is now open for inspection. Mr George AY. Mnso; is a candidate for the representation of lihieskin Hiding in the Waikouaiti County Council. He announces that he wilt meet tho Ratepayers at various centres, commencing with Purakahn: on Monday evening next. A sitting of the Assessment Court for tho Borough oi Port Chalmers will be held on Saturday, 'Ith April. The Otago Farmers' Co-operative Association de-sire to correct an error in their market report published yesterday in stating that 62 sheep were sold on account of Mr Hunter, of Lawrence. The vendor's name should havo been Mi Dugald M'Coll, of liongahere. The saddlers and coachbuilders wilt hold a combined picnic at Puketeraki oil Saturday. The train leaves Dnnedin at 9 a.m. The town clerk, Hmvksbury, notifies that the electors lists for tho borough are now open for inspection. Nominations for the election of a Licensing Committee for Mount Ida close at 5 p.m. 011 Satutday, 14th inst. The pell, if necessary, will-he taken on Wednesday, Kith inst. There is a tins in the affairs of trade which, taken at its flood, leads on to money-saving. The time is now—the tide is the values. Visit Mollisons for bargains.—Advt. Delightful shampooing, hairdressing, waving, singeing, etc., at Hendy's, 101 Princes street; finest saloons in the colony ior ladies and gentlemen.—Advt. Carter's Great Summer Sale now on. Genuine bargains in nil departments. Several important special job lots. Call early at Carter's Great Sale.—Advt. Intending purchasers of jewellery or watches naturally wish to make a selection from the newest and daintiest goods obtainable. G-. and T. Young, 83 Princes street, have tho largest and best selected stock in Dunedin, and give the best value.—Advt. The present fashion of wearing the hair requires an aliunde ic of hair. If you nre not blest witli this invest in a bottle of Mrs M'lutosh's Hair Restorer. It is the best of all dressings. Bottles, 2s and 3s (xj; chemists' and hairdressers'.—Advt. Who is Pstek DrcK?—The most reliable Watchmaker and Jeweller, opposite Coffee Palace, Moray place, Dunedin. Charges strictly moderate.—Advt.