From The Freeman's Journal, 28 March 1923 - THE BUTTER TRADE Mr. H. G. Roache, representing the Irish Butter Traders' Association, embracing practically all the butter shippers in the South of Ireland dealing in the butter trade, said there was not a ship that sailed the seas that did not carry the Association's brand to every corner of the earth. The butter was sent as far as Japan and China by the English agents. Their factory butter in the South of Ireland did not require grading, as it was done by the factory experts who spent their whole lives at the work. He favoured the grading of Irish creamery butter at the four principal Irish ports. For home consumption the butter might be graded at the creameries. Many of the farmers made as fine butter as could be found, but there might be some more practical demonstrations in butter-making given in various districts where the quality turned out was not as good as it might be. In reply to further questions, witness, dealing with the grading of creamery butter, said it was well known that some creamery proprietors mixed the best factory butter with their own product and labelled it "best or finest creamery." That was fairly extensive practice in certain districts, though it could never be properly proved. He favoured the creamery butter getting a national brand after inspection at the ports. THE DOCKET SYSTEM. Mr. Wm. Ahearn, who represented the Cork Butter Market Trustees, gave evidence of the system prevailing in the market by which a document issued by the trustees was attached to each quantity of butter weighed there. That docket could not be altered, and there was a severe penalty for tampering or altering it. He suggested that all fresh butter should be bought under some supervision in the markets and in the country towns. Samples should be taken now and then by the Civic Guard or some other authority, and if found deficient there should be prosecutions. Replying to Sir John Keane, witness said he would leave the matter of grading a voluntary one. His opinion was that butter should be bought under some supervision, as there was a great deal of bad butter being made in the country. Replying to Mr. Butler, witness said there was very little butter sold in the Cork Butter Market at the present time. That was due, firstly, to railway and other troubles, and also to the shippers going about and buying the article in the country markets. The Commission adjourned until 10.30 to-day. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Dennis Ahern | Ireland Newspaper Abstracts Acton, Massachusetts | http://www.IrelandOldNews.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -