BUTTER TRADE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8343, 1 February 1913, Page 5

BUTTER TRADE

SIR GEORGE REID’S REPORT* LONDON, January 30. Tho Colonial Butter Committee hat cabled its principals as follows; “Sir George Reid refuses to cable tho committee’s commentary on his reports. Ha offers to mail it without endorsement. Ho admits tho reports were prepared for him, but declines to give tho writer’s name to substantiate tho charges. The butter agents are arranging to interview Sir George Reid to repudiate tho general mis-state-ments.” Sir George Reid's report on the Aus tralian butter trade in England showed that ’ tho conditions were very unsatisfactory, and unless unscrupulous practices winch were universally followed were checked would, result in permanent injury. A large quantity of Australian butter was used to rescue at a big profit inferior stuff manufactured in Greal Britain. Fifty per cent, more was used for blending purposes, and the balance disposed of under names approved by the salesman. Sir George Iteid urged tho necessity of a sound system of grading and marking similar to that adopted by New Zealand and other countries. While other butters were well known, ha did not believe that 20 per cent, of th« people of Great Britain were aware that Australian butter was able to be pup chased.