THE PRICE OF CHEESE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2689, 8 February 1916, Page 8

THE PRICE OF CHEESE

. EFFECT OF GOVERNMENT PURCHASES. By Telegraph.—Press , Association. : Auckland, February 7.' Mr. D. Nathan, of Wellington, .speaking at tho opening of a cheese factory at Aka Aka recently, declared that the taking at 7jd. per pound of an article that'is to-day worth eightpenee involved . special taxation of a particular section of the farming community.: - , This view'of tie position is contra- ! verted by Mr.'Massey, who asserts that the requisitioning of portion of the output had been 1 of benefit to the cheesemakers. "The effect of tlie Government's entrance into the market," said Mr. Massey, "was that the price of cheese went. up. with a'bound. Cheese is torday worth considerably'more than 7}d.' per .pound, - which is < being paid for Abe supply-of ImperiaLrequirenient's. .- Tho ,cost of the Imperial order will be about £l-,loo,ouo.:.''Speaking generally,' ' 1 can- say that .it;has'had;a;very.;good. '■ cffect ,bh- tlie industryiiot r only, is the price: of cTimiseVhigh'er'Ho-day -'than'-it-has;, ever. ;been; ; : but';it is'.; worth . recalling • that before "the. arrangement: ivasri' rnade-ii'early -whole output, of - the South .Island .had been sold at about 7d. per lb. , By'the action of the Imperial: Government it lias been'' made certain-that.shipment forthis very valuable' product .will he .secured without difficulty f otherwise, Rowing to scarcity i of shipping; jthere , might have been somewhat ■•.serious delay.". From, November 4, tho date of the inception...of the'' Scheme, to February 8, the Government had purchased 5014 tons and had made payments amounting to £338,103 '.on behalf of the Imperial Government..; . ' ]