4IO Journal of Agriculture. [lo July, 1909. 



Penalties. 



In all aggravated instances the Customs Department seized the con- 

 signments, they were under the Act forfeited to the King, and after a 

 deposit sufficient to cover any expenses and penalties which might be 

 inflicted the expoirters were permitted to amend the contents under official 

 supervision, so as to comply with the standard. The balance of the 

 deposit, if any, was returned after deducting the cost of seizure, together 

 with any expenses incurred and the penalty in addition. 



Local and Export Brands. 

 Notwithstanding the periodical suggestions made bv the Department 

 that butter to be marketed locally should bear separate and distinctive 

 brands from that intended for export, most of the factories still use iden- 

 tical brands for both. A considerable jx)rtion is bought on the local market, 

 sent to one or other of the various cool stores and exported by the pur- 

 chasers. When factories were advised they sometimes disclaimed any 

 connexion with the transaction replying that they are not exporting any 

 butter the whole of their output being marketed locally. It can readily 

 be seen that, if these butters are not made up for export and .shipped in 

 competition with what has been specially manufactured for the export 

 trade, the result is against their interest. 



Prices. 

 The prices realized on the home and local markets were satisfactory, 

 especially for the best butters, and compared favorably with those obtained 

 by other places, the highest average realized on the London market being 

 ins. Victorian butter still leads all the other States in regard tO' the 

 quality and prices for our best brands. However, the difference between 

 the demand for first and second grade butters has been much more pro- 

 nounced than for some seasons past. This was not so in the early part 

 of the season, but towards its close great difficulty was experienced in 

 quitting butters not of the best quality. This applied to the local as well 

 as to rne export market. There were times when choicest butter was readily 

 saleable at a shilling to is. id. per pound, whilst for mediocre a dragging 

 unsatisfactory market at from id. to 3d. below that was encountered. 

 This has had the effect of stirring the makers of poor butters into activity, 

 quite a large number having applied to the Department for help and advice 

 for which they have shown keen appreciation. For the past few seasons, 

 when lively markets were met with, manufacturers had no incenti\e and 

 were therefore not amenable to suggestions for improvement. 



Grading Butter. 



The criticisms of grading are becoming more kindlv as time goes on. 

 From the prices secured by individual factories per the various steamers, 

 it is found that, so far as particulars have been available, they have in 

 everv instance coincided with the grades of the butter. In every case 

 the very few criticisms made at home and abroad have, upon investigation, 

 vindicated grading. Early in the season, a most serious complaint was 

 received to the effect that a brand of butter with a fir.st-grade certificate 

 had turned out in .second-grade condition. On looking into the matter 

 it was found that four parcels of the brand referred to were .shipped Vjv 

 this steamer, two being of first and two of second-grade quality. The 

 second-grade parcels, however, were qualified with a distinctive mark. 

 The Department cabled the Agent-General to .secure the certificates, which 

 were used in connexion wdth the sale of the parcel. The tw^o first-grade 



