NEW ZEALAND BUTTER.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8336, 19 January 1907, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND BUTTER.

By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, January 18. Writing to the Department of Industries and Commerce from London, during November, , t Mr Cameron, New Zealand Dairy Produce Commissioner, mentioned that the Rimutaka, which left Wellington on September 27th, with 10,500 cases of butter—the first shipment of any size of the new season's make—arrived on November 9th. The butter was expeditiously landed, and delivered in good order, and condition. "With this arrival," the writer adds, "the season for the sale of New Zealand butter may be said to have commenced. Unfortunately owing to the action of many New Zealand producers in diverting their brands from those who formerly handled them, and from the markets where they were becoming favourably known into new channels of outlet, considerable dissatisfaction exists among the trade here. There is not that eager enquiry for parcels that was experienced at the opening of the season last year. Prices are, of course, high—from 116s to 118s for best New Zealand brands, but there is no evidence of a tendency to specialise New Zealand butter that has been so strong a feature of the market during the past year or two." "The demand f6r New Zealand butter for blending purposes is considerable," continues ,Mr Cameron. "It is reported that blenders have already secured most of the butter that is coming forward. If this is so, there' is not a bright prospect of advancing the reputation of New Zealand butter among the consumers throughout the country. No doubt the producers have. given full consideration to the question, and have come to the conclusion that their interests are best sqrved by i their action. Regarding the disposal. of their produce they must not overlook the tact, however, that they may be induced by an offer of extra price to sell to those whose interest it may be to keep certain brands off the market, and so destroy the reputation they have gained j here among the consumers. To do so j some buyers could afford to pay extreme rates. The question for pro- j ducers to decide is, which is the better policy, to sell to the highest bidder, whoever he may be, every year, or to place their brands regularly in the hands of the same agent for sale on the same market? If the former plan is decided on, then the brand is not of very great value, but if the latter is adopted, then .the brand appreciates. yearly."