STORED BUTTER

Hokitika Guardian, 22 June 1926, Page 3

STORED BUTTER

DOES IT DETERIORATE? , AUCKLAND. Junt? 20. The question as to whether New Zealand butter deteriorates while in store has never lieen definitely determined, hut some interesting evidence has come to light. Some London importers have complained of stalemss and during the past season some discrimination in prices was made between stored and freshly-landed butter. According to reports received by some Auckland merchants, it was stated that the staleness of stored butter was appreciable at least to experts. Evidence to the opposite effect has now become available. It has been the custom of the Northern Co-operative Dairy Company, of Dnrgaville. to imducle with each make of butter a card addressed “To our customers.” Particulars arc asked regarding the date on which tile butter was opened, its condition, the firm from which purchased, and the price paid. Replies have been received from all parts of England, Males, Scotland and Ireland, and even the Tsle of Man. The remarks on quality are usually in such brief forms as “excellent.” “tip-top.” “verv good,” and “first-class.” In the case of one card, the butter to which it related bad been packed in Dnrgaville on October 2-lth., 192,-i, being a superfine sample with 92) points. The butter was opened in England on May sth.. and the quality was described as “excellent.’ The company’s point is that this butter had been in store either in New Zealand. or shipbound. or in London. f° ov.?r six months, and yet- it opened up in excellent condition. Several other cards returned show fairly long storage periods, and in all eases the purchasers’ remarks were highly laudatory.

ft may bo objected that tin? experience quoted is not a fair average, as the Northern Wuiroa Company’s output is of very high grade, and therefore not so subject to deterioration as others. All butter sent away by this company was packed in Swedish boxes, and it is contended that they are superior to white pine.