THE BUTTER PRICE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 303, 18 September 1919, Page 4

THE BUTTER PRICE

'MR, MASSEY'S ASSURANCES. The demand of the butter producers for payment at the full export price for aJI butter supplied to the local market wa3 mentioned again in the House of Representatives yesterday. Mr. C. A. Wilkinson (Egiuont) said the butter producers had been given to understand that during this season they were to receive the full export price for nil butter supplied to the local market:-. But they had not been promised the export price for last season. The farmers' considered they were entitled to a : refund of the money they had lost under tho soiifilisation scheme. The Primo Minister said that if he had not had. sympathy for the butter producers tliey would not have secured the revised arrangement. He' had seen the situation, and had considered that the butter producers had not been fairly, used. They were,now going to be placed in exactly the same position as the vyheat growers—or an oven better position. Cabinet had arranged that the producers should get the full export price this- season. Last season's lintter was a different matter. Petitions bearing upon tho subject had been presented to the House, and would be considered by a committee, which probably would take evidence: Ho did not propose to go any further until he received the report of tho committee. The proposal to ninke up. last season's price to tho full export nricp involved an expenditure, of from .£150,000 to .£175.000, find Cabinet would have to deal with so ttiree "■ question. "Wo want to deal; with the butter producers fairly and equitably." added Mr. Mhssey. "I do ask members to remember that tho arrangement in operation last year was made by the representatives of tho butter, producers, or the people who called themselves their representatives. I had nothing to do with the matter at nil."