The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, APRIL 6, 1889. OUR DAIRY PEUDUCE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2102, 6 April 1889, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, APRIL 6, 1889. OUR DAIRY PEUDUCE.

There are the most encouraging signs of the speedy development of a large and profitable export trade between $ew Zealand and the Mother Country m the item of dairy produce. We have frequently expressed our belief that this is indeed destined at no distant date to prove one of the colony's principal resources, and every day we are strengthened m that opinion and need look for no more complete confirmation than is to be found m the cablegram published m our issue of yesterday. This stated that Messrs Reynolds and Co of Auckland, who sent an experimental shipment to England, had realised for it no less than £5 1 6s per cwt, nearly- Is o£d per lb, being a price equal to that ot the best Danish brands, which have hitherto topped, the market. Here is evidently the remedy for local producers who have naturally complained of the exceedingly low prices ruling m the local market consequent upon the excessive supply, and as the Home demand is practically un limited the way stands open for a large and remunerative trade. Already agents of English firms have been attracted hither with a view to opening up relations with us— one of these, Mr Meadows, the representative of. Messrs Trengouso and Co, having just given the result of his experiences to a Christchurch contemporary— the " Press." Mr Meadows informs that journal that although the drought and consequent scarcity of dairy produce m Australia has sent a number of buyers into this market who were prepared to give more than he could offer, ho had, nevertheless, secured several thousand packages of gocd butter which were sent Home by the direct steamer, the last shipment going by the Doric. He remarks tU^t tho butter goiug Home early struck a good market and goes on to say :— ." I got some grand butter I may say here m Canterbury, good waxy butter, well made, and as I have said it only wants care m making to secure an unlimited demand. You have a grand climate, excellent feed, and good cattle, bo that there is no reason why the butter you produce should not be the best that can be got. Though the demand for Australia left the market pretty clear, there was more really good butter available of a satisfactory character and make than I expected, considering the short tima I hao to get it m. As to cheese, I have not been able to buy up as much as I should have liked, because the greater part of it was bought up by the Australian buyers at a price which I considered too dear for our market. I bought the season's output of the Geraldino factory, and I cannot but speak m the highest terms of its quality. I am not only satisfied with it, but it is grand cheese m quality, make and style of finish. For such goods at a reason; able price there is an unlimited demand. As to the industry, as a whole, there are several minor points which require lookinto if it is to assume the proportions which all well wisherß of the colony to see it do. Tho main of these aro with regnrd to tho mode of shipment and rate of freight, and J expect to be able to arrange these when I get home." All this is exceedingly satisfactory, and it is not less co to learn that Mr Meadows is so well pleased with what he has seen of the colony that he intends to return again m time for next season.