The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1887. A MARKET FOR DAIRY PRODUCE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1477, 8 February 1887, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1887. A MARKET FOR DAIRY PRODUCE.

Notwithstanding the fact that the local markets of the colony are glutted with dairy produce, that butter m particular, during the summer months, commands only the ridiculously low figure of from 3d to 6d a pound, and that Dairy Companies are reducing the price paid for milk correspondingly, we do not m the least abate the opinion which we have frequently expressed, that dairy farming is bound to become one of the chief industries— possibly the chief industry — of New Zealand. No other colony m these seas is able to compare with her m the natural advantages which she possesses for the development of this industry, and we are confident that there is not only, at the present moment, no such_thjrjg-a« over-production I __but-thar we might -prt»ti«cc--rernimes as much without failing to find a remunerative market. But, m order to this, we must not be content to rely upon the local consumption, we must look for our customers beyond seas. And we have not the smallest fear but that we shall find them, and that too at paying prices. Some time ago we expressed our belief that m India and South America an outlet might be found for our dairy produce, if only care were taken so as to ensure our butter and cheese reaching those countries m good marketable condition, and we have just come across a paragraph which is strongly confirmative of the correctness of that opinion. This will be found m the Lyttdton Times of yesterday, which, on the authority of its namesake of the Bay of Plenty, states that " A trial shipment of tinned butter was lately made from Tauranga to Rio de Janeiro, with the result that 2721 bof butter realised iij^d per lb, and 981 bof cheese 7 fid per lb. In larger shipments the average price is expected to be higher. The butter sent to Rio was, on the recommendation of experts, sent m three tins, and of these one turned out to be rancid, owing, probably, to defective packing or some fault of the tin, and the total price realised was 2 id per pound. From this, when duty, freight, commission, &c, were deducted, the sum of nd per pound remained. Had the three sample tins turned out satisfactorily, no doubt consideiably more than is o.d per lb would have been obtained." If care be taken as to the preparation and packing, there is no reason why butter and cheese should not invariably reach Rio from New Zealand m the primest condition, and if so it is evident that there is every prospect of obtaining exceedingly satisfactory prices. And equally satisfactory results can, we believe, be depended upon from shipments to Bombay, Calcutta and other places m the East. The experiment is well worth trying, and if, as we believe will be the case, it be found that good markets can be secured m both directions the result must be to give a great impetus to dairy-farming and largely to benefit the whole colony.