The Oxford Obserber. PUBLISHED WEEKLY. SATURDAY JUNE 15TH, 1895 THE BRITISH MARKET.

Oxford Observer, Volume VI, Issue VI, 15 June 1895, Page 2

The Oxford Obserber. PUBLISHED WEEKLY. SATURDAY JUNE 15TH, 1895 THE BRITISH MARKET.

The fact that New Zealand and the Australian Colonies can ship 'Home a fresh-grass butter m the depth of the Brit ish' winter places these colonies m a singularly advantageous position m relation to other competitors, and if their butter and cheese are of uniform quality there should be , no fear but that they will. find a ready market, In. order to attain this, end it is most . .essential ; that "finest* quality should be made the model to. work for though New Zealand has m her favour the elemtnt of difference of season, and the time of new grass for her co ws j it must be *Temembered that the*' prihicipal competing countries oh the Continent of Europe are ever- on the "alert learning arid studying to^meet •* the^wafrtsi 'df the con'sumersy -and^ateS thbroughly experienced m the sys-

r tern of winter dairying. So much skill is brought to the work of winter dairyirig.in these countries that they are able to turn out and place on the market the choicest butter m the depth of winter. At the same time, I am quite convinced it does not surpass the choicest New Zealand and; Australian grass-butter "which has received every care m its transit to* the market. Although there is a difference of opinion as regards the^ future position of colonial butter, many persons being under

the impression that it will only rank as v ordinary finest " but-

ter or as second-grade butter on the market, still, with a perfect system of production and of shipment, I can see no reason why choicest butter from the colonies should not be obtained on the British markets, as there is evidence to show that some of tho finest grades sold have come from the colon-

ies. It would be almost suicidal to the prospects of a New Zealand dairy fai rner to entertain for a moment the idea that England and other populous countries will ever prove to be a convenient dumping-ground

for a second-rate article — the old idea which was so unfortunately prevalent amongst the producers that once the produce left their hands their interests had ceased. In view of increa&ing competition , the interests of the producer must be m full harmony^ with those of the market for "* his produstion. The hope, and indeed, the existence of the New Zealand dairy trade m the .business centres of the Old Country depend entirely on the quality of the produce— not merely its quality as it leaves the colony, but on its quality when it reaches the foreign market. There is ho .room m England, or m any other country, for a glut of second-rate or of third-rate dairy produce. A propos of this matter of a glutted market it is just as well to * point out that the fear of overglutting the British market is to large extent a mere bugbear as so many uninterested individuals from the Old Country have sought to show; that the demand for butter especially is increasing and that we need not for very many years entertain the slightest apprehension that there will not be a market for our produce as long as. finest **> quality is shipped. One great advjantage that we possess is ■* ■that when our - dairy season k at its height the British need greatest. Whilst other foreign countries are meetrhg the derhand"at great expense, owing to stall-feeding and winter dairying, New Zealand, if she Can secure a perfect transit for her goods, 1 and those gbbds ; are offtrst^rate^ quatity," can lead market with it. : .