BUTTER AND CHEESE.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 892, 15 May 1903, Page 2

BUTTER AND CHEESE.

THE OFFICIAL LONDON REPORT.

Per Press Association., Wellington, last night.

The latest report from tho Deputy Produce Commissioner in London states that complaints have been received that New Zealand cheese is not always marked on the crates with an indication of tho

color. This omission involves a good deal of cutting about and extra handling. Some consignments referred to were without color mark of any description. Early in April New Zealand cheese in London market made another advance, and scored a record in its history by reaching 70s per cvvt in the open market. Canadian continues to range about la higher. Certain importers woo handle both descriptions claim that the Canadian article is better value than the Is margin. Nevertheless they are able to promptly clear Now Zealand shipments at the extreme rates, New Zealand butter, at the time of tho report, had fallen fis per cwt, mainly in sympathy with the Danish market, which, after being driven up to an unduly high level, collapsed to the extent of

Bs, and a week later 2s. This brought Danish to about 110 s, or 9s above tho New Zealand article. The margin was narrower than usual, but was stiff considered disappointingly large.

“Certain consignments of milled butter have been coming to hand,” says the Produce Commissioner’s deputy, “ which are marked ‘ separator,’ in addition to the regulation milled brand, this practice being allowed, I understand, on a packer representing that the farmers from whom he gathered butter used hand separators. That such concessions are apt to confuse tlje trade at this end, and depreciate tho Government branding system in their estimation, came practically to my notice in the dockshed while inspecting the Maori’s shipment. An importer who was pushing business with a large Cardiff buyer showed him, among other brands, milled butter No. 1158, boxes of which were stencilled ‘ separator’ in bold letters on the side. Pointing to this mark, the importer claimed thas the butter was not milled, and was equivalent to creamery, as in the Irish butter trade the term ‘ centrifugal ’ is applied to creamery goods. The buyer in question was naturally perplesccl, relying as he did on all brandingot New Zealand as official. I had. however, an opportunity of putting the matter straight in this particular case.”