The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1904 MARKETING OUR PRODUCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 34, 10 February 1904, Page 2

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1904 MARKETING OUR PRODUCE.

One of the most important matters that the bulk of Taramiki people are interested 'in is the marketing of the dairy produce for which this district has achieved an enviable reputation. Any suggestion which will' l v ar on this matter in the 'direction of improving the position of the producer is thus of peculiar interest to this district, and of great value to the colony, since dairying- is now K'ing carried on in so m a ny different localities where once the whole attention of farmers was dirocted towards wool-growing. A few days ago we published, oro the authority of Mr Hughes, of Liverpool, a gentleman! who has a large connection as a retailer of dairy produce, a statement that New Zealand butter was in hifcjh favour at Home for storage purposes. Whilst this is undoubtedly a Haltering testimonial—only carefully made butter and cheese can U-' stored for any length of time—it shows that the tendency, at Home js not to use our 'butter in a manner calculated to conserve the interests pf the producer., or to cnbtince the Vft.lu.tf of the butter thus blended. Mr Hughes is very emphatic on this point. He declares that if New Zealand butter is to maintain its high reputation lor flavour and texture it is very iaiporUiunt bltat it should be placed on the market as soon us possible after its arrival in the Urjtish ports. It must 'be quite plain to all that if butter has to be tuiken from the .ship's side to wholesale cool stores, and then moved from one store to another before reaching the retailer's hands, the cost to the latter must be greater than if it had been sent to him direct from tl.-e ship. Every handling means expense, and after the butler is "ripe" every day in store menus a ihitwjpratiton in kxiuulity. 'Phis is what wn want to avoid. It is Mr Hughes' intention to purchase, if possible, the output or portion of the output of leading factories here, and to 'have tho butter sent direct to bis cool stores in Liverpool, from which lie will distribute it amongst his branch establishments. He states that by this means he will never have stale butter i'n s-tock, but will place it before the public within a few days of arrival. He proposes to put a premium on locality, by buying on a 02 per ccnti test, and offering one

shilling per cwt. for every additional two poitijts registered at thei grading' stores in the colony. presont anything above 88 points Ks sold as lirst grade, and brings a faiily unifpnu pjPice, even if t/h'e ,produce, can boast of 95 points. Under his system, "Mi; Hughes argues that the bust butter will always 1 brmg iho highest pi ice. The suggestion seems a good one, except t-hut one shilling for every point would b-e neaivr the mark. At any rak>, if the retailer can guarantee to place our butter on the market, quickly whilst It is at* its best, the producer should .benefit considerably thereby.