SHIPPING BUTTER.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LV, Issue 1400, 13 September 1909, Page 2

SHIPPING BUTTER.

Tim suggestion has been made in tin- X«>w Zealand Hrrald that Anokland t-hould ho made the last port of call for the steamers carrying butter to London, at any rate alternately with Wellington. A representative of our contemporary waited on leading exporters the other day to awertain their views, when the opinion gpnorally expressed was that the time had long wince arrived when a most important change should be made. Under existing conditions, the butter exported from the Auckland province has to >c railed from the treeeing works in the city to Onehunfca, where it is placed on board the Corinna. The Comma takes it to Wellington, calling at New 1 lvmouth on the wav to pick up the butter irmn tiiih port. Naturally the exposure between the treezing works at Auckland and the hteainer's hold at the OueiiniiKH whart causes a rise of temnerature. hut we do not think the reJnmnl <.l the hatches ut Motu- ,«,., ra.iso-,, «- alleged, any furIhei riM-. becmise the- hatches •ire no Biwner removed thsu irpßWi

butter at a lower temperature than the hold or than the butter already stowed is immediately placed on board, tending to lower rather than raise the temperature. It may be admitted, however, that the shipping arrangements for Auckland are not satisfactory nor as cheap as they might be, and the trade has attained such proportions that the producers and exporters are entitled to something better. At the same time that is no Teason why Taranaki should be made to suffer, as it must it Auckland is made the last port of call. A case in point is supplied by the shipment per the Paparoa, which is to make Auckland her final port next week. Taranaki butter has to be railed to Wellington at heavy expense, and to leave some days earlier than would be necessary if Wellington were the final port. Even if our butter could be placed on exactly the same footing as Auckland butter is on now ; that is it it could be shipped to Onehunga by the Corinna and then railed to Auckland, it would be handicapped instead of tho northern produce, and, since the "Wellington and Patea butter would also bo detrimentally affected, we submit that to make Auckland the final port would be contrary to the principle of the greatest good for the greatest number. When the butter steamers are able to berth at Moturoa they can receive the Auckland butter there, if in the meantime some more satisfactory system • » handling it has not been devised. In the meantime we must protest against any change which wilj interfere .vith the existing shipping arrangements, which have worked very satisfactorily.