THE BUTTER EXPORT.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8873, 25 July 1907, Page 2

THE BUTTER EXPORT.

The Minister of Agriculture was interviewed yesterday by members of the Dairy Produce Exports Committee of Wellington Chamber of Commerce. It was stated that New Zealand butter is in danger of losing its high reputation in the London market owing to the excessive amount of moisture permitted by some makers. Mr Harkness said lie had received a letter from the Loudon agent that morning which contained the following statement: “I regret to say I have had to listen to a great many complaints, but _ the most serious was in the falling off in quality of our New Zealand butter. Fishiness has been found, and many of the buyers, who had had their butter analysed for moisture, found that some of the best brands have shown 15 per cent.” Tho writer stated that many importers surmised that it was evidently the intention of New Zealand dairy farmers to kill the saltless butter trade, but this failing ou the part of some of the dairy companies would seriously endanger the* business. Cue buyer in England was iu trouble because 28 per cent of moisture had been found in his butter. How it got out of New Zealand bo did not know, but the writer wished to impress upon New Zealand makers the necessity of sticking to tho old standard of 12 per cent of moisture. Mr Meadows informed tho Minister that lie know of one of the best brands graded 93 points or over, about which there had been no end of complaints. In reply to the Minister, Mr McEweu said the British standard is 16 per cent. The deputation suggested that the grading department’s representative, who is to be sent Home for the purposeyof studying English requirements, should bo Mr Cuddie, Chief Dairy Commissioner. If Mr Cuddie spent three months or more iu London and subsidiary markets, bo would bo putting himself iu touch with tho importers, who would gladly assist iiim iu acquiring knowledge of the conditions. If the Chief Commissioner left in October he would bo in England when the first butter shipments were arriving from this colony. His experience would enable him to return with clear-cut idea& in regard to his policy and his observations would bo extremely valuable, as he had the confidence of the trade. The Minister was also asked if he would continue ou a more extensive scale the experiments which had been carried out spasmodically in regard to cool curing of cheese. The Hon. McNab stated that he would give duo weight to the suggestions in regard to tho officer who was to bo sent to England. At present lie had an open mind on the subject. He did not think there would be any difficulty iu meeting tne wishes of the (deputation. In regard to experiments in cool curing, ho would see that a substantial forward movement would be made during the coming season.