The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, JULY 4. SALTLESS BUTTER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8148, 4 July 1906, Page 2

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, JULY 4. SALTLESS BUTTER.

The great increase that has taken place during the season now closed in the export of unsalted butter is one worthy of serious consideration. It is veiy difficult, however, to arrive at a correct estimate of the effect of this new departure, which is destined to have a far-reaching effect upon the industry, whether it be for its betterment or to the contrary, Tbe dairy companies and their managers are divided on the wisdom of catering for this market; the agents at Home hold opinions for and against, according as they handle salted or saltless butter; only the officers of tho Government Agricultural Department are unanimous in deprecating it. * ♦ » » Many factories naturally evince a decided disinclination to have any restriction placed on the export of "saltless," their experience of last season having shown that the returns from this description were higher than from salted. With them, therefore, the only consideration is the "commercial" one—a desire to make the most of the extra profit offering at the moment. Notwithstanding that the general opinion is that the catering for this "saltless" market will yet give the industry reason for regret, it is nevertheless true that we have no definite evidence that such an undesirable contingency will occur,

There is an undoubted danger, however, and every effort should be made to definitely settle the point in the interests of a national industry, apart altogether from the immediate "commercial " iiite.-ests. It is undoubted that a very large proportion of the 2500 tons of saltless butter exported during the past year has gone direct to the manufactories of the " fakirs." Opinion, however, is also divided on the question of the undesirability of this class of butter dealeis. We are told, on one hand, that very much of the faking is perfectly legitimate; that there i.s an inexhaustible market for the " faked " article, and that, if New Zealand does not cater for the market, some other sourco of supply will be found

Analysing the source of tho majority of these statements, it seems to us that the various companies have been almost wholly swayed by the advice tendered them by their respective Home agents. To our mind that particular advice is unreliable, for they naturally view the question each from their own particular standpoint at the time being, according as they find the most remunerative channels. In this connection we have read evidence given before the Butter Commission at Home, showing conclusively that colonial butter buyers have been offered alluring inducements by " fakirs " to supply them with material for manipulation. Is it natural to suppose that agents would set the welfare of the industry in New Zealand before their personal financial aggrandisement?

Followi o tho present trend of this market to its logical conclusion, it i.s not impossible that, unless restricted by legislation, New Zealand faked butter may eventually usurp the market of the legitimate article. Once our butter loses its identity, and its standing us a high-grade product, the industry at once is at the mercy of the "faking" establishments. If " faking " is to be recognised ns legitimate enterprise, if there is such profit to be made from it as is generally understood, and if New Zealand is prepared to openly cater for the " fakirs," then, we say, let us do our own " faking," What is wrong with tho idea of a New Zealand factory catering, on its own, for the market where its product is ultimately retailed, unless the very narrow dislinction between direct and indirect participation in, say, "undesirable ' practices ?

Meantime, however, the evidence available is so conflicting that it is impossible to gauge the value or the permanency of this now, and, at tl e moment, lucrative market. The question is a national one, and should and must be considered from the national standpoint. The reputation that has been built up by our butter is too precious a possession to be jeopardised for the sake of immediate gain. Already, we are told, the general quality of our butter lias been affected by the varying requirements 1 of the agents who purchase our Dut-t-r. Fj icli, according to the purpose tor wln'ch he requires the butter, stipulates the conditions, with the result that, lack of uniformity in quality has been increasingly apparent. Sooner or later a comprehensive Butter liill will reach the Statute Book of the Imperial Parliament. It is altogether problematical how far it will affect "faking" operations. Assun.ing, however, that the " fak ing" industry is thereby seriously curtailed, what, will he the position of those New Zealand facto, ies which have been supplying the butter for manipulation ? I heir well -known standard brands will have lost theii identity on the m .rise*, which they must perforce again build up at their own cost. A crisis has arisen in the history of the industry, and every endeavour should he made by the Government and the producers of the colony to deal with it systematically

Tur. decision of the National Dairy Association (North Island) to,appoint an expert or experts to watch the interests of the prodticors in London is undoubtedly a step in the right direction. What is wanted is u board of experts, or a commission, independent altogether from the agents at. Home, to watch the market, and inquire exhaustively into the whole question of disposal. This would be the first step in the desired direction of competent supervision. Co-opera-tion in the colony- amongst producers, and between the producers and the Government lias brought the industry within the colony up to its present standard of efficiency. Let that system be extended to its logical conclusion—to at least tho wholesale markets of Great Hritain. It is increased vigilance and supervision

there, coupled with greater care on the farms of the pii nary producers, tint is going to maintain our butter tt its almost pre-eminent position in the world's greatest mart. The sooner such a system can be put into operation, the sooi'er will there be unanimity amongstdairy companies, and the sootier will the primary producers reap the full reward of their industry in steady, reliable, and permanent I markets.