§ MR. BOLAND (Kerry, S.)I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies can he state what was the proportion of first-grade butter to the total exported when grading was first instituted in New Zealand, and what is the proportion in the present year according to the latest information; and can he state what is the difference in the price of 663 first-grade New Zealand butter now and that current when grading was instituted.
§ MR. CHURCHILLCompulsory grading was instituted by the Dairy Industry Act of 1894. The first year for which full statistics are available is that ended 31st March, 1896, when the percentage of first-grade creamery butter was 93 per cent., while that for the year ended 31st March, 1906, was 97.85 per cent. In regard to the difference in price as between these years, no precise figures can be quoted as a guide, as values fluctuate from year to year according to the general state of the market irrespective of influences such as grading. It may be stated in general, however, that New Zealand butter, since the institution of grading, has attained a higher standard of value represented by many shillings per cwt.
§ MR. BOLANDI hope the hon. Gentleman will convoy the information to the Irish Department of Agriculture.