THE PRICE OF BUTTER

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 18, 16 October 1920, Page 8

THE PRICE OF BUTTER

DEBATE ON COMMITTEE'S REPORT AN AMENDMENT MOVED The House yesterday resumed at 5.15 p.m. the interrupted debate upon the report of the Butter Prices Investigation Committee. The reeOinniendation of the, committee was that the price should tfe 23. 3d. per lb. cash over counter and 2s. sd. per l'b. booked and delivered, ant) that in order td* give ttfe producer the market value of his-.produce the Government (should pay a subsidy. Mr. J. M'Coinbs (Lyttelton) ires the speaker who had been interrupted by the afternoon adjournment of the House on Wednesday last. Ho moved the following amendment to the motion that the report be tabled:— "That the report bo referred back to the committee, with a recommendation that they favourably consider tho proposal that tho retail price of butter bo Is. 9d.. per lb., "and that an equalisation fund be created by tho levy of a a per cent; addition to-land and income tax and an increase in stamp and death duties, calculated to produce the equivalent of 5 per cent, on the total stump and death duties," • Mr. M'Cooi'bs contended that the burdon would under his proposal bo placed on the shoulders of those best able to tjear it; The producer would gat tho full market, value of his protest,' the consumer would got butter at a reasonable price, and the distributor would have as largo a margin of profit as hei had at the present-time. It was true that those who were wealthy, as well ns-.thosfe who were 'poor, would be able to buy butta at Is. 9d. per lb., but tho wealthy would have to pay, by way of taxation on thgir land and {.heir incomes. . :' ' ■ Tho debate, was again interrupted by the dinner adjournment, !' Proclamation to be Issued Tc-day. During ihe, evening sitting of the House Mr. G. Mitchell (Wellington South) asked when members would havfc an opportunity to discuss the butter prices. The' Prime Minister replied that ho could not keep th|a public in suspense any longer. He proposed to issue the proclamation on the following day. If he did not do that, the public would have to continue paying 2s. lOd. and 2s. •lid. for butter. He had given an opportunity for till) discussion of the committee's report that afternoon, but members had chosen to occupy most of the afterlioon with other matters. .'They coui'l have another opportunity next week, but the debate must bo in the afternoon. If thev discussed the matter for three months hb did,not think it would make any difference, "and there was more important business to be undertaken in the evenings.