PRICE OF BUTTER

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2895, 6 October 1916, Page 6

PRICE OF BUTTER

NO DECISION YET BOARD OF TRADE OPPOSED TO INCREASE The application by the butter exporters to the Government to allow the local price of butter to be increased by 2d. per lb., and to permit of the unrestricted export of butter, was considered by Cabinet at two meetings yesterday, and was the subject of long consideration by tho Board • of Trade for practically tho whole of the day and evening. It is understood that tho Boar'd of Trade, although it has not yet sent in its final recommendation to tho Minister, is not in favour of permitting tho raising of the price of butter for local consumption. The Minister of Industries and Commerce (the Hon. YV. D. S: Mac Donald) informed a reporter last night that no definite decision had been arrived at, and thai probably it would bo necessary to refer the question again to Cabinet To-day. ACTION BY CITY COUNCIL. MINISTER TO BE APPROACHED. If butter goes up to 3s. per lb. it will seriously affect the city's milk supply, contended Councillor M. F. Luekie at tho City- Council last evening, because tho farmers will be ablo to get more for their milk from the factories than the people hero can afford or will he -willing to pay. Councillor R. A. Wright said that probably tho only thing for the council to do in the future would be to coraider a big scheme of producing .its own milk.

Councilor L. M'Kenzie said that ho felt very strongly on this matter, and he suggested that a deputation should ask the Minister to decline to lift the restrictions on the export of butter. The Government should have some consideration for the people of the Dominion. Councillor G. „ Frost supported tho suggestion. Councillor J. E. Fitzgerald said that if tho council was going to the Minister it should think over tho fact that the law of supply and demand might bo, operating.' Much less butter was being made now than was turned out last year,, because so much checso was required for tho Army. The council adopted Councillor M'Kenzio's suggestion, to interview tho Minister. ... - TRADES COUNCIL DISCUSSION. Tlio proposed incrcaso iu the price. of butter was discussed at a meeting of tho Wellington Trades and Labour CouncN last overling, and a strong protest, was made against tho riso in the retail cost of this Now Zealand product. Tlio Council decided to draw tho attention of the Government to tlio promiso given by tho Right Hon. W. F. Massey in 1915 that if tho price of butter rose abovo Is. 7d. per pound retail, tho export would bo prohibited, and to ask that this promise should bo carried into effect in the cveiit of the proposed incrcaso being made.