The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 1888.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2453, 31 March 1888, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 1888.

Equal and exact justice to all men, Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political.

♦ An important and interesting letter 011 the cheese and butter trade appears in to-day's issue, which we have received from Messrs Crookshanks and Lovell, dairy, produce and provision salesmen, ot' Customhouse; and Wool Quays, Lower Thames-street, Loudon, E.C., to which we direct the particular attention of our farmers. It will bo seen that groat stress is put the linn on ilie, mode, of shipping these commodities from colonial ports so as to arrive in England in a condition lit for the best markets. As regards butter, our correspondents state very distinctly that only the fimst article should bo shipped in refrigerators in good sound condition, and put up in packages averaging 5 (jibs, and not exceeding lli'lbs; then, if proper attention is given to the temperature of the cold storage, during the voyage, which should not exceed "»5 degrees, nor fall as low as freezing point, tlus butter will reach its destination in a payable condition and acceptable for table use. If these necessary conditions are not observed, the butter deteriorates on the voyage and becomes lit for cart grease only. Messrs Crookshanks and Lovell give expression to the emphatic opinion that there is a splendid future for both these articles of New Zealand manufacture, ; and also make the highly satisfactory statement that our cheese products can command a preference over the American article, and are equal in keeping qualities to the Canadian and English cheddars. Such a declaration trum ajVell established Home firm, who can he accepted as competent authorities, should encourage our producers and stimulate us in our efforts to advance the development of the dairy industry. We are assured by Messrs Crookshanks and Lovell, that it' we ;;ivo proper attention to the manufacture and shipment of our butter and cheese, fulfilling all the necessary conditions that should characterise a lirst.-elass article, a large and profitable trade will ensue, mid that the highest prices will be obtained. We are told, further, that the best of our New Zealand butter exported to England is that packed in square boxes, which is pronounced tis " really fine," and realised '

112s jv'f ewt. It is presumed that I !kj square boxes ivforro Ito aro t!ie euammellf'd boxes manufnetuml by Messrs Pond and Co., of Auckland, which arc now in such wide request both in this colony and Australia, and, no doubt, they tend to preserve the texture and colour of the butter during exportation in a manner superior to tins or kegs. The lesson this letter teaches us is that the great obstacles we first encountered in initiating the colonial dairy trade with the Mother Country have been successfully overcome, the prejudices of British buyers and consumers have been swept away, and the superior excellence of our own goods are now unreservedly acknowledged. What remains to be accomplished are mere matters of detail in the art of packing and shipping, which should be easily conquered now that attention has been so clearly drawn to the subject by those experienced in the trade. It rests entirely with individualdairy farmers and factories to sustain the fair reputation these products have gained, by devoting all their energies and skill to the manufacture of articles of the finest grade for export to England ; and that shippers should observe all the requirements for the complete preservation of every shipment during the long voyage to the port of arrival. As we have so often urged before, this industry is destined to become one of the leading colonial exports, and one that will be a large factor in improving the position of the agricultural population of the colony ; therefore, it behoves all those engaged in it, from producer to exporter, to exeivise the greatest diligence in the scientific aspects of the proce?ses of dairying in all their stages, as well as in their mere mechanical and manual parts.