KAURI GUM AND BUTTER.

Te Aroha News, Volume XI, Issue 1719, 6 March 1895, Page 2

KAURI GUM AND BUTTER.

The reports of the kauri gum market in London received by the mail are so far satisfactory, as to show that a recovery has begun, which may be looked for to continue if care is exercised at this end in not again flooding the market. This is a matter in the hands of the local merchants to some extent," and very largely in the hands of the gumdiggers and country storekeepers. It would be wise that production should be restricted so as to enable, the European and American markets a better chance to attain a f ail recovery from the recent depression. But while the news of the gum market is satisfactory, the same can hardly be said respecting the dairy produce market This market is in the throes of a crisis which may have far-reaching effects. The fall in the price of colonial butter recorded is no doubt due to the life and death struggle now taking place between colonial and Danish production. The Danes will probably fight hard, but are bound sooner or later to be overpowered by the colonial product if supply and quality are maintained, for though the prices given for milk in the colonies are not so good as could be wished, it is quite evident that in a struggle for the rule of the home market the colonials have the advantage of the Danes in the point of cheap production. To drive the Danes from the market will require mutual cooperation on the part of the milk producers and the creamery factories in New Zealand, as well as in the Australian colonies. It would seem as if the crisis was being felt more severely in Victoria than even in New Zealand, for we notice that the Australasian of the 16th February thus refers to the subject: ‘ The j'biitter) market is in a very depressed State. ' ’oT cables to hand this weeJf from London shows that the prices; are very much lower than it was evef anticipated they would be. There are still over 300 tons weekly arriving at the city depot for shipment, and the last boat arranged for by the Government sails on the 23rd. Fresh arrangements will have to be made for a continuance of the service. "We would point our directors of bulser factories and others interested that, in view of the low prices butter will probably realise in London during the next few months 2d/per gallon for 3'6 milk is the utmost it will be safe to pay.’ This is a low price indeed, but it is evident that whatever Victoria may be able to do in the matter of cheap production of New Zealand, with a less extreme climate, and a climatives more productive of succulent pasturage than the neighbouring colony, will be able to do her share in aiding to oust the Dane from the London market, and thus obtain the control of, the best market in ilie world for dairy produce. —Herald.