THE Kaipara Advertiser, AND WAITEMATA CHRONICLE. WEDNESDAY, JULY 30, 1913. INFERIOR BUTTER.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 30 July 1913, Page 2

THE Kaipara Advertiser, AND WAITEMATA CHRONICLE. WEDNESDAY, JULY 30, 1913. INFERIOR BUTTER.

There seems every reason for the Dairy Division to be keenly alert in regard to the quality of our export butter, according to the cable news of a few days ago on this question. It was stated that New Zealand had not maintained the progress recorded a year ago, and there was not the same proportion of choicest being exported. This is much to be regretted; for the general effect can only be to injure the name of New Zealand produce on the Home market. While the criticism in question dealt for the most part with Australian butter, there was an outstanding indictment that private separators and increased use of milking machines had caused a falling-ofr in the quality of New Zealand butter. Mr H. E. Pacey, manager for the New Zealand Dairy Association, in an interview, said that in the past season the association's business on the London market had been particularly satisfactory. Indeed, its butter had never been better received there. He feared, however, that the comment contained above was well founded. During the season adverse comment concerning some of the Dominion's butter had come to hand, and many market reports by mail and cable had referred to the fact that there had been more than the usual inferior and under-grade quality of butter sent home. Mr Tacey said he concurred with the conclusion set forth in the cable that the trouble was due- to the use of private separators and milking machines. Neither of these need necessarily cause trouble, however, but unfortunately if the operators did not understand their business and exercise the necessary care, trouble might result. The association had a preference for the creamery system because experience indicated that the best butt er was made under this system, and the best returns were rande to the producer. We do not think for a moment that any complaints have come from tlie consumers of our export b-utter, doubtless the complaints are from the blenders. There, is said to be about 60 per cent of our butter used for blending with other butters, and any tletioration in quality wo-old naturally affect the

blender who expected to blend poorer quality of butters with the Dominion's product. The Hon. T. Mackenzie (High Commissioner), while agreeing that butter-blending is a legitimate process, emphasises the fact that it is essential for our producers to aim at supplying only the highest grade butters, and he is satisfied they can do it. He also remarked that candour compelled him to say there was a slackening of attention in detail which must be rectified. These statements will naturally cause some, commotion among those engaged in the supervision and control of the industry, but we hope the criticism from Home will be carefully weighed before the Department takes any steps that may have a tendency to harass the producer, as under the present system of sale their butter would be improved solely for the benefit of the butter blenders. Prom every point of view, however, it is desirable that we hold a high reputation for quality of butter, and the department is the proper authority to see that this standard is maintained.