THE FARM INDUSTRY.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 558, 13 July 1909, Page 8

THE FARM INDUSTRY.

C> BUTTER MOISTURE. THE EXISTING LAW ON THE SUBJECT. • ; 4;ND THE CHANCE OF LEGISLATION. lit is very probable that the complaints of excess of moisture in New Zealand export are I rather exaggerated, and' , ; even rhere the fault has existed the public attention which has been palled to the matter is likely to modify the tendency in that respect tliis ■ season.. Nevertheless', tho, ..com-, plaints cannot fail to, affect. New Zealand s markefrat Home this' season, and still further injury will bo "done, if (as-indicated by tho High Commissioner) a question is to bo ■asked concerting'tho -matter, in. Houso of Commons..-:In regard to.the butter sold to tho grocers of New Zealand, .which is'mot-'protected bylaw against water-log-ging, there niay "be-more room for improvement,' and • it is believed that legislation to protect; tho New Zealand consumer against paying money for,sheer water may bo asked /Referring'to the question generally, the Christchurch "Press" of recent date said:— '"It is interesting to note, that tho, butter, .shown at the National ;D,airy Show' at Palmerston t North' averaged 12J per cent.- of moisture. With the exception of ono factory, the majority ranged from 10i to 13 per cent., and six factories up to 14 per cent. .Tho exception rioted was up to 15.70 per. cent., and .close' to tho legal limit. The discussion of. the subject and the prominence given to it will lio doubt tend "to check _ the practice .of attempting^to increase quantity at the expense of'quality. Wo have had illustrations ofrthe injury, done'to other branches of our ■export trade,'such as that of flax and frozen meat, by sending Home inferior quality, and it wiH.be a thousand pities buttor business .is damaged- in jthe saiuo" way..l There : .is, .also tho local'trado.;to be considered. It is a'fraud on consumers to expect-them to pur.chase water at thesame price as butter." f ' .'Under the'existing law,-7if a-butterrinaker sends'to tho grading store for export a quantity, of butter containing more than 16 per cent, of moisture-ho is liable to be prosecuted, and fined. .The mere fact <?f. his sending the.' butter' to the .grading , " 'storeYis,;,; considered. strong- prima- facie evidence .that it is in-' tended for- export. ■ .Butter,' however,.' that '.is intended for'the local market does. not. need j to/pass through.'the' grading-store',' and if it is composed! of. one-quarter of'-'water there is no .law to .'interfere'.;'; If is. to; rectify; this; andprotect the local consunier.tHat : legislation is considered probable..;.:. /•£..'... : | .'■::,: ,'■'■' '■'' (