N.Z. Is Seeking Higher Butter Price

Chronicle (Levin), 4 June 1949, Page 5

N.Z. Is Seeking Higher Butter Price

Received Friday. 8.50 p.m. / IiONBOX, June 3. Talks between representatives of the New Zealand Dairy Comimission and the British Mihistry of Food concerniiig a revisiOn of prices for New Zealand dairy produce under the existing bulk purchase agreement between Britain and New Zealand. will commence in London next week immediately after the arrival of Mr. W, Marshall, chairman of the Commission, and Mr. F, P. Walsh, who with Mr. H. E. Blyde will represent New Zealand in the negotiations* Mr. Bldye is already in London and Messrs. Marshall and Walsh are expected to arrive on June 5. The NeW zealand talks will pro' ceed concurently with similar negotiations which are taking place betWeen representatives of Daftish dairy producers and the British Ministry of Food. The two sets of negotiations are certain to influence each other as the Danes are at present receiving 321s 6d a Cwt. for their butter as against 235s a cWt, paid to New Zealand. The Danes, it is understood, may be willing, provided certain other recrairements are met to accept a reduction in their price, but the gap fievertheless is considerable and is likely to form the basis for considerable argument. The Dahes are. asking the British Government to sell them more steel ahd coal ih return for their _ dairy produce, but it will be difficxxlt for Britain to make odditional. allocations of these commodities in view of current shortages. New Zealand 's chief argument, if an increase in price is suggested, will probably be the recent increase ih labour costs in the Dominion as a result of the new arbitration award for f arni workers.