SHIPMENT OF CHEESE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 148, 12 March 1918, Page 8

SHIPMENT OF CHEESE

NEW BUTTER SCHEME.

The terms upon' which Canadian cheese will he available for the 11)18 season, about to open, are awaited with considerable interest in this country (says . Rii exchange). •■. In connection with l cheese, the New Zealand Government has permitted the shipment to the ■ United Kingdom of third grade cheese at a price not exceeding 9}d. It has been ascertained that the Government is ; still unable to- issue permits for export of butter ..to countries other'than the United Kingdom. The-scheme'of the Prime Minister for delivery' of butter to purchasers for the local market out of stocks in freezing store awaiting export is reported by those in the trade to be working satisfactorily. • The first .day 550 boxes were taken out on.the basis of 1575. per cwt. cash.-- It is expected that the sales will amount to about one thousand boxes.a week. In the meantime, practically all the factories hitherto _ supplying the local market are sending their butter into the stores for export. The butter is withdrawn, as to the bulk of it, by local distributing firms, who pack it for the retail trade. .

. The Government's arrangement , to extend to butter the scheme of supplying retailers from store at the Imperial schedule price lias worked well during its short experience in Wellington. During the first three days no. fewer than 250 boxes of 561b. wore t(old to retailers at Is. Cd! per lb. The retail price remains at Is. BcL, with a small section of the trade offering butter, not in pats, at Is. 7d. It is felt in official circles that in view of the wholesale price, the ruling retail rateis too high. _ Wanganiu has the benefit of this scheme, as'' it was' threatened vfith a shortage owing to'the producers' decision to stop local supplies. If trouble arises in any other part of the Dominion, the Government is prepared to extend the scheme of purchase from Imperial stocks. Some of the local' producers have goiie off-the market, nut it is belioved that they havo not been unanimous iu carrying out their threat. . ■ ;