THE BUTTER PURCHASE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 8, 4 October 1917, Page 8

THE BUTTER PURCHASE

ANOTHER MARKET? Mora than once lately the suggestion MJ been made that the Government should allow New Zealand butter to be «worted to America: V . Mr. W, H. Hold asked : )the Prime MinJfter in the House of Representatives: , (n Whether Tlie delay of the Imperial ' Government over the negotiations for the purchase of our butter does not probably indicate their disinclination to purchase, and their willingness to sell our batter in another market; and whether, if this ie the case, jWe would hot be wi3e to eell to our Allies, the Americans, who apparently are prepared to offer a much higher price than the British Government," and by this means to increase the revenue of • this country at a time when every shilling is recurred to pay taxation? (2)' Whether/ the additional income ' tar,, accruing .' to tho Government by reason of the more advantageous sale of'our butter,: would nobibe sufficient to enable the Government to adjijet the prices for local consumption satisfactorily? / ' . . ■ ,■ ' The Prime Minister replied: (1) Al- .' though considerable delay has occurred in replying to the representations which have, been made by the ■'New:. Zealand Government to the Imperial Government witti regard to the purchase of butter, yet it is not considered that the absence of a definite reply indicates a disinclination' to purchase, or their willingness to sell our butter in another market. On October ; 1 I again made representations to •I the Imperial Government by cablegram ■ ' en, the subject, and urged that an iin--1 mediate reply might be'., furnished, not only with regard to butter, but also in. - respect to cheese. Until the Governi ment is definitely informed that the ImPERaI Government does not require our butter it is not considered either desirable or necessary to enter into negotiations with, our Allies- for its sale. (2) ( - His part of the question is answered by, tne'foregoing. . ;