BUTTER EXPORT TRADE

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2142, 7 May 1914, Page 8

BUTTER EXPORT TRADE

THE AMERICAN MARKET. .WHAT THE STRIKE COST. Mutters relating to tho Dominion's export trado in dairy produce were discussed by Mr. Wesley Spragg in ail interview with a , Dominion reporter yesterday. Mr. Spragg, who is head of the New Zealand Dairy Association, one of the biggest manufacturing and trading concerns handling dairy produce in tho Dominion, returned by tho β-uahine from a business trip to England and America. Sir. Spragg was in London in time to observe the effect at the other end.of tho strike in New Zealand. "I found," ho said, "that- it caused tremendous dislocation in tho market in England. Six shipments of dairy produco came to land in ten days. This was in itself enough to cause serious dislocation, and .the butter dealers at Home made no attempt to improve the position, but continued to bring on the market consignments already in store, thus accentuating tho glut. From information gathered from the most reliable authorities I believe that, on an average we have lost on our last season's production three or four shillings per hundredweight as a result of the strike, and-,those who know what tho production of butter in Now Zealand .is can multiply up and find what-tho strike trouble, actually cost New Zealand, and from that they may imagine how ruinonusly serious for the producer would have been any extension of it." Asked as to his opinion of tho pros- ■ pects of a market for New Zealand butter in America he said: "In Vancouver and down tho Western Coast of America the prospects on tho occasion ot my visit were exceedingly promising, ■the Customs and Pure Food Departments were most punctilious in the matter ot detecting tbo slightest trace of boric acid in butter. A trace of boric . acid in butter is sufficient to bar its entry into the American market. I ■ bad a long interview with Dr Alsburs, .Chief :f tho Pure I'ood Department in Washington, and 1 also saw various Customs and internal Kevcnuo chiefs in the capital, with the object ot getting their' Departments to accept tho New Zealand Government's certificates as a guarantee of tho absence of boric compounds from Now Zealand butter. Far from showing any prejudice against our products, these officials seemed if anything to be favourably disposed towards our butter. I found that tho Federal Government accepted a similar certificate to ours from countries of origin in regard to matches, as a guarantee of the absence of phosphorus. I pleaded this as a precedent for tho acceptance of tho New Zealand certificate for butter. "I am of opinion, however, that tho 'American, market cannot at once bo exploited. American methods of trading are in many respects different from tlioso of British communities, and of necessity it will be a long time before we can feel our way into an extensive trade with the United States. Every-, whore, however, a keen interest was shown in the prospects of commerce between America and New Zealand." Mr. Spragg spoke- also of New Zealand butter in the English market. "Denmark," ho said, "still holds premier pin-jo in tho Home market because it is only a few days from it, and supplies can be so arranged that the trado is carried on with tho minimum of trouble and an absence of risk. As the trade can be carried on with such case, traders would Ht'var give up their preference for Danish butter, even if better butter from elsewhere were offering. Tho Danish producers and merchants are able to provide supplies with thn utmost regularity, and this is one of the factors which- will always "aid thorn in holding premier place in the English market. "I should like to take this my first opportunity," he concluded, "of acknowledging the always ready help in my business investigations whioh I received from the Hon. Thomas Mackenzie, and tho whole staff of the Hifth Commissioner's office. I should also like to acknowledge the - valuable assistance which Mr. Ethson, the representative : of the National Dairy Association, so" : courteously gave to me." If you're thinking of purchasing motive power, your positive ditty towards your future satisfaction is to see- tho Richmond Oil Engine. It lins gained the highest award against lO'other well-known makes, anil its thorough reliability day in and year out will convince you of an honest investment. We believe that a Richmond Catalogue is your best buying guide—it is! Will you write Albert J. Parton, Plumber, Carterton, Sole Agent. -Advt. A coltl in the head .makes one miserable. Lose no time in getting "XAZOL." Clears out colds and catarrh in doublequick lime. Costs less than a ha'penny a do;e.— Advt.