BOTTLE IN A CHEESE

Taranaki Daily News, 18 October 1927, Page 11

BOTTLE IN A CHEESE

MESAGE TO ENGLISH RETAILERS. (From Our Own Reporter.) Ilawera, Oct. 16. In the process of cutting a tempting looking New Zealand cheese in a certain provision store in England a month or two ago, the merchant was much surprised to come across a bottle embedded in the cheese. On further investigation it was found the bottle contained a letter- from a New Zealand factory manager, who put several questions to the merchant. The enterprising manager was Mr. G Martin, of the Te Ngutu branch of the T. L. Joil company, and his letter came into the hands of Messrs. J. 11. and W. H. Edwards, of Radford’s Stores, Pioneer Market, Ilford, England. The recipients were interested in their find and replied to the questions, their answers, as follow, providing valuable information direct from the English retailer: “It is with great pleasure we answer your note found in a cheese on August 24, 1927, and we appreciate the interest you evidently take in your dairy production,” stated the reply. Answering the questions the letter stated:—

“The quality of the cheese was certainly good, in fact a little above the average of New Zealand cheese. This parcel of cheese was bought by us on or about July 29 and the price paid was •Ms per cwt. The averlige loss of weight on the parcel was 51bs per crate; this is quite an average loss at this time oi the year. “We find that a good white cheese, say between 82 to 841bs weight, is a saleable proposition, especially between March and August. As coloured cheese matures more quickly we find a better sale for these, say, between the end of December and March. It is quite necessary for the cheese to bo matured; new cheese we have no sale for. As regards Canadian cheese, we prefer cheese weighing 100 to 100 lbs., especially if made late in August or September. These cheeses always realise the best prices. “With regard to the New Zealand Dairy Control, this is a very important question, and we are pleased you have asked our view. Personally, we do not agree with it, especially as it was first conducted. It Caused dissatisfaction on all sides over here from the importer down to the storekeeper, and was doomed to failure frekn the first, greatly to New Zealand’s cost. Under the new regime there ie certainly not so much friction. There is nothing like a free market for good business. Sup-' ply and demand will always govern the market.

“New Zealand very nearly lost its reputation for butter' two seasons ago, solely through control. We have pushed the sale of New Zealand butter ever since 1912, believing it to be the first butter obtainable, but had to stop the sale during the latter period of control, when the butter was being put on the market after twelve to 20 months in store. Of course this holding up of the butter absolutely spoilt the quality, and gave it a bad name. This was the sole cause of the great slump in prices.”