DAIRY PRODUCE PROSPECTS.

Otaki Mail, 15 February 1922, Page 4

DAIRY PRODUCE PROSPECTS.

> MR F. .]. NATHAN’S CONCLUSIONS. During his latest tour of Europe and : America, from which he arrived home ‘ in Palmerston North yesterday, Mr F. j. Nathan made a close study of tiie various branches oi trade, but parti- , cuiarly of the dairy produce markets, ; with which his Ann is so intimately ’ and largely connected. Apropos of American trade prospects, a New York operator admitted to Mr Nathan that our Dominion’s butter was very good and marketable, if not quite equal to Danish best, but any prospects of establishing trade with liis country were spoiled by the fact that we could not under our present working conditions, guarantee regular fortnightly delivery. The demand in the U.S.A. was for very highgrade butter of superfine brands, with a grading of at least, 94. Another barrier to the marketing of our butter in America was that the Health Department regulations prohibited the importation of butter containing preservatives of any kind or quantity. These two difficulties would have To be overcome before we could gain a footing on the American markets. A rather remarkable point observed by Mr Nathan was that the western districts preferred their butter heavily salted, while the Easterners demanded fresh butter. CONDITIONS IN ENGLAND. ! Turning to the state of things in 1 ! England, with particular reference to butter, our informant said that tire, only adequate description of affairs up to November last- was “appalling.” The British Government, during his sojourn in England, had 2-4,000 tons of Australian, New Zealand and other butter on hand, which was of very inferior quality and would undoubtedly affect our market when released for consumption (which, it is understood, has since been done). There were, in November last, 1,750,000 unemployed, with every prospect of the .number reaching tiie two million mark. This large army of workless was living on doles, and the wealthier classes were being taxed very heavily,- and they were also practising economy perforce. There had been a slight revival in some trades, but in others the position was still black. The local production of butter and cheese had in creased in England and Ireland of recent months, and late consignments of New Zealand butter had realised enhanced prices. Whether the condition of things would continue to improve it was rather early to say. but it is 1 Mr Nathan’s belief that the firming Tendency will be maintained. j