NEW ZEALAND BUTTER.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1960, 3 October 1888, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND BUTTER.

A London correspondent of a contemporary wrltss : — Sir Francis Bell is advertising for a " thoroughly qualified person acquainted with the beßt systems of dairy-farming, and competent to j Instruct dairy-farmers m New Zealand as to the best methods of preparing their produce for the English market." He h«s reoelved numerous replies, but the drawback to most of the applicants is that they do not efficiently understand the necessities of the London market. The Agent-General is now m communication with Professor Long on the snbjeot, and will very probably find the sort of person required through his help. Up to the present, as I have more than onoe explained, New Zealand dairy produce has only proved Id differently successful. Against the cheese nothing can now be urged save that the qaalily varies more than is desirable. Ketailers do not aB yet take very kindly t>o it (I quote the smartest cheesemonger m South Jlenslogton), bnt the Stores (the Army and Navy especially) sell large quantities. The "7d a pound New Zealand cheese*' is, In faot, beoomlng a specialty at the Army and "Navy Stores. AU I wonder Is, what does the exporter get per pound for it ? The New Zealand batter, on the contrary, oootmnei a failure, Often the quality is, oi has been, good ; but it varies so In polour, oondltlon, and make-up that purchasers are often very dissatisfied. For example, a butterman buys, say, 20 kegs or tubs (or whatever you call them) of New Zealand butter. The Bample he tatted suited him exactly, but he gndn that the kegs are not uniform m coloar and othar essentials with the sample, The butter may be goo£ enough, but there Is not enough s&lt m It, t>r too muph salt In it, to suit his customers, or the colour too Dearly resembles that of margarine. The consequence Is that he is dissatisfied, and eiobews New Zealand butter for the futnre. The difficulties m the way of the trade are, however, snob, an, a few experts will no doubt smooth away, and onoe New Zealand dairy produce gets a good name with onr retailers Us future is assured Sines writing the foregoing I learn that Sit F. D. Bell Is trying to persuade Professor Long himself to visit New Zealand and inquire into the dairy produce question. At present the Professor h»B not said " Jes "or" No " definitely. Muoh, ' Indeed, will depend on whether the Minister of AgrlonUQra Bill is passed through Parliament this seeslc^ or daring the coming autumn one, as he Is almost certain to be the first person eeleoted to fill this important office.