EXPORT OF BUTTER

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 168, 12 April 1920, Page 4

EXPORT OF BUTTER

QUESTION FOR PRODUCERS

IMPERIAL GOVERNMENT WISHES TO BUY

The representatives of the butter producers liavo had under consideration for Rome time a communication received from the Imperial Government by the Prime Minister. The Imperial authorities wished to open negotiations with New Zealand for the purchase of exported New Zealand butter. Before the communication had reached the- Government the New Zealand producers had como to a decision that they would not again contract to sell their butter as in rtcent years, but that they would export it for ealo on the open market. Mr. Massey sent on to the. Butter Committee his latest telegram, and it is possible that the committee will discuss it with him during the week. It is understood that the producers are as firmly convinced as .ever of Ihe wisdom of asking for a free market, and I hat they will not be willing io sell straight out under any commawleer arrangement. They may be in some difficulty as to their decision if the advice, is that the Imperial Government intend' to control all butter coming to the United Kingdom from overseas, us has been reported the Inm?rial Government may decide. In that event it might he possilfe that tho British Got eminent would take control of New Zealand produce on arrival, which, of course, th'y could do. even without the consent of the owners of the butter here. ]f that is the alternative it might be considered preferable by the dairy farmers of New Zealand that they should sell their butter here under the old commandeer arrangement. All these matters _ will be decided in subsequent negotiations for which no doubt the Government of Not Zealand will be the medium.