RUSSIAN BUTTER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 141, 17 June 1931, Page 9

RUSSIAN BUTTER

IMPORTS TO BRITAIN. I A MERCHANT'S COMMENT. | Per Press Association. J AUCKLAND, June .16. “Unless there is something behind a'l this—something we do not know—L can not understand why there is all this talk about Russian butter.” said an Auckland butter merchant to-day. “ Just look at the figures,” He quote-1 the statistical position, comparing the amount of Russian butter imported by Britain with the vastly greater total of imports in 1930. Britain’s total impori - were. 294.720 tons, of which 65,496 tons were from New Zealand and 10,631 tons from Russia. He concluded thai there may be moribehind this question, but the statistical position was such that anyone interest ed in butter would not for a moment consider Russia as a possible factor in affecting New- Zealand’s position on the Home market. MR SAMUEL’S OPINIONS I Per Press Association. 1 AUCKLAND, Juno 15. Referring to the British market fuNew Zealand ’s primary products on ii.-:-return from abroad by the Niagara 1 o day, Mr A. AL Samuels, ALP. for Thames, said the greatest danger to ’he Dominion at present was Russia, which was swamping England with butter, and was determined to undersell any other competitor. “ Unfortunately, ” he continued, “there is no tariff barrier, and the product of the Soviet country is being blended with the butter of the British Dominions, and the purchasers do not know what they are buying. Although it is alleged that Russian butter is manufactured under labour conditions which would not bo tolerated in New Zealand or any other Dominion, 1 am informed that the quality is quite satisfactory. Just before I. left London a shipment of Siberian butter, packed in barrels and valued at £2,000,000, was landed. Although there is an outcry against this dumping, the British Government says it .is pow r eriess to interfere.

“There is an urgent necessity for New Zealand to extend her markets overseas, especially in England,” said Mr'Samuel. “There are groat potential markets which require direct shipments, especially Glasgow. New Zealand must remember that owing to low prices buyers are unusually critical, and it is imperative to keep the standard high. “It is essential that there should be the strictest examination of our cheese from the quality standpoint, and our cheese and butter position will have to be carefully watched, if w e are to maintain our reputation on the overseas markets. There is a danger of New Zealand butter losing its identity as it is being blended in England and branded ‘Empire product.’ “Our lamb is highly thought of, but it Is advisable that shippers should not send any inferior careases, as their sale is apt to have an adverse reaction on our meat generally. It would he better if we sent superfine quality only. The honey position is good. “Wo have an excellent set of primary producers’ representatives in London,. and they are doing everything possible under the most trying conditions,” Mr Samuel concluded.