THE BUTTER TRADE.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 809, 26 January 1903, Page 3

THE BUTTER TRADE.

Air W. Bolt, who recently paid a visit to England in the interests of the shareholders, has given a representative of the Post some interesting information with reference to the increasing importance of butter as a farm product, and as an article of export. Air Bolt states that the New Zealand dairy farmer has nothing to learn from an English brother, but rather that the latter could learn something about butter-making if he came to the colony. He found that New Zealand’s best quality of salted butter was equal to anything imported into England, and realised as high a price as the best Danish. But, he gave colonial farmers some good advice which he thinks is necessary) in some cases. If, he says, all of them would only see that their milk was sent to the creamery in a pure and clean state they need have no fear of competitors.. New Zealand farmers very, often were disinclined to give sufficient attention to the care and renovation of buildings, and much improvement could be effected in ?his direction on many farms. The Agricultural Department would, he contends, be quite justified in insisting on a rigid attention to cleanliness on dairy farms, for one careless farmer can do more to deteriorate the .quality of a factory’s output than all the careful suppliers can do to improve it. The Taieri factory, we learn, is supplied by no fewer than forty creameries. At present, only butter, is made at the factory ; but the importation of a plant for the manufacture of preserved milk has been decided upon, and it is also intended to tin the butter in small quantities for the South African market ; and for this purpose a special tinning plant has been ordered. ..There are, evidently, great possibilities for trade between this colony and South Africa. There is practically an unlimited demand there for New Zealand butter, and the establishment of the direct stcanx service will largely increase the trade - —for it will take a good deal of it out (bf ;the hands of the Australian middleman, who has in the past bought large quantities of New, land produce, and shipped it on to one or other of the South African ports. It will be seen that the dairy industry is capable of great development, and that a profitable market for all the butter New Zealand can produce is assured. Besides the mere SI

ending of his milk to the creamery, the dairy farmer will require to gi.e some attention to improving the breed of his cows. We notice that some of our farmers consider a return of £1 5s a month from each cow remarkably good. In the North Island, there arc many instances of much better records than that; and

the .champion cow at the Canterbury Agricultural aad Pastoral Association’s last show gave a return of £1 a week to her owner during the first six months of her milking. The business, no doubt, is a thriving and healthy one ; but it is capable of even better results than are at present obtained.