N.Z. BUTTER IN AMERICA.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14234, 6 March 1914, Page 4

N.Z. BUTTER IN AMERICA.

Thk provisions of the laws of the Unite o States do not permit of the entry of butter containing any artificial preservative into that country. Apparently this fact is not known to all the New Zealand exporters, for in November of last year OO.OOOIhs of butter wore condemned at Washington by the Federal Foods and Drug Department of the United States, and towards the end of January another consignment was similarly treated, both for “definite traces of boric acid.” The fact that a big shinment, withheld at Wellington on account of the strike, subsequently was- put aboard outgoing steamers with the fresh stock, and became mixed with it, has not helped tho situation. Tho earlier lot fell far below the grade of the last,’ and buyers were complaining of the qualitv, believing that ail imported butter in the port of Seattle (Washington) was of tho same rating. This impression has greatly diminished the volume of business, throwing back or the bauds of speculators an amount of butter that could be moved only a* a loss. A correspondent points out that thtrade at Seattle has taken a liberal view of the sin of omission on the part of New Zealand, as it is held to be, believin" that butter for the “States” was churne' 1 in the same churns used for the English trade, and hence some of the acid inns'; have got in nnnnoticed. It is thought in Seattle that manufacturers in New Zealand would not attempt to “get hv” with butter that was not according to law since they intend to build up a trade on merit alone, and are “bucking” stron" competition when they run counter t-> Washington-made butter. Wherever used, the butter from New Zealand has given good satisfaction, and has made a plare for itself in the Seattle market permanently. Due to tho Wellington dock strike, butter that had been mixed up here for n month became mixed in the last shipment of fresh butter, and consumers condemned it in no uncertain terms, through no fault of the makers over here. The correspondent advises New Zealand manufacturers to see to it that only the very best article they can produce reaches the American shores, else they strike Washington creamery seconds, Eastern storage, other staples which throw them into a situation in which there is no defence..