A TIN OP BUTTER

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3183, 6 September 1917, Page 4

A TIN OP BUTTER

AiUEGATION OF FRAUD. Of Tecent years members of Parliament havo developed the practice of producing "exhibits" in the House. Yesterday Mr. Witty produced a tin of butter, packed for export to members of the Forces. Ho complained that the package was sold without sufficient indication as to its weight, and he suggested that people bought a tin supposing it to contain a pound, whereas the whole package, tin included, weighed only 15 ounces. It was sold, at the price of Is. Bd. per tin, and it was put up by tho New Zealand Dairy Association. Pe declared that- a fraud was being perpetrated and he asked the Prime Minister to make inquiries. Mr. Mbmp.v said that knowing the NewZealand Dairy Association ho could not imagine that the controllers of it would ottempt to get the better of the public. However, he agreed that tho consumer ought to be protected, and he would have inquiries made. Later, Mr. Massey euid that a note had been sent to him containing an exnlanation on behalf of the association. He <\\A not say that the explanation wns a good one, but it was a feasible one. The explanation -was that, people specially asked. for packages of about 15 ounces, so as to allow for wrapping into a costal parcel of not more than a pound. T.he nostage of such a parcel was Is., and the postatre on a ! parcel exceeding a pound was 2s. .:•