PRICE OP BUTTER

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2450, 1 May 1915, Page 8

PRICE OP BUTTER

RESTRICTION OF EXPORTS GOVERNMENT TAKES ACTION Steps are to 'be taken by the Government at once to prevent tho indiscriminate exjxirt of butter from New Zealand, while it is threatened that enough butter may not bo obtainable for our own needs. "It has come to the knowledge of the Government," said the Prime Minister to a reporter yesterday, "that butter which is being exported from New Zealand to the Commonwealth is being used by Australian merchants to fulfil contracts made with Java and other places, and the Government i 6 issuing a proclamation immediately providing that in future butter may be exported from New Zealand only with the consent of the Minister of Customs. This will prevent such transactions ar. I have referred to being, carried on at a tiiue of scarcity like this.. "I am advised that the supply of butter in sight iu tho Dominion is lower than usual, but' if it were not for the shortago in Australia, the position would not be acute. The producton of butter in the south is being reduced by the cold weather having set in rather early thi6 year, but in I'aranaki and Auckland I believe that good resultn are be-, ing obtained. Information I have from the Agricultural Department :is to he effect that a number of small farnlers, instead of following the usual practice of allowing their dairy oows t» go dry during the cold months, intend to make butter right through the wintßr. Sup-, plies from this source, if chey prove to bo considerable, should relieve the shortage now anticipated in the winter months. •

ANOTHER RISE IN AUCKLAND. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.. Auckland, April 30. The export market i for butter is firmer. Yesterday business was refused at from Is. 4Jd. to Is. 4s. per pound f.o.b. Auckland for first grade in 500 box lots. The wholesale price to storekeepers advanced to-day, to Is. 4Jd.per pound. * PRICES IN AUSTRALIA. FURTHER ADVANCE IN TWO STATES. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) Brisbane, April 30. Batter ha 6 advanced by ll.'s. per owt., and is now at 1945. Melbourne, April 30. Butter has advanced 2d. to 3s. 9d., and tea a penny per pound. LOCAL RISE EXPECTED. It is reported that a further rise in the price of butter is contemplated by the holders. The present retail price is Is. 6d. per lb.