BUTTER SCANDAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1363, 26 January 1905, Page 2

BUTTER SCANDAL.

ROBBING PRODUCEpJIi

By Telegraph—Frees Association—Copyright . Melbourne. J s* .25. The Butter Commission states that £12,130 has been j companies to certain firms, of which ; £12,422 was paid to Bartram and The amount wus a rebate of freight, not " brokerage, earned in the ordinary way. Tho payment of secret sums had deprived shippers of getting a reduction of freights. Discussing freights generally, the Com- [ mission believes that tho j sufficiently strong and influential jto mand their own terms from the producer. As such a state of affairs is a menace ta- | the Australian export trade in butter it calls for united efforts of the States to I place tho trade outside an influence which I has the power of increasing the burdens on I primary producers. It recommends pro* j ducers not to enter into contracts binding I them to pay more than one half penDy per [ pound freight. . ■£

GOVERNMENT TO TAKE ACTION AS TO FREIGHTS.

PRESS OPINIONS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Received 10.30 p.m., Jan 25. Melbourne, Jan. 25. As an outcome of the Butter Commission the Government have determined to make arrangements, in conjunction witn producers, for a halfpenny freight. Commenting on the report, the Age asks whether the Government will now promptly and efficiently act on the mendations. It declares it has oause to complain against the mail companies, in so far as these firms placed a hindrance in the way of honest investigation ; tJ&ki their payment of money to the favored few was a violation of contract; the motive was a wrong to producers short of a criminal prosecution. It was not easy to say anything more inculpatory than this.

The Argus says: Has the usage of commissions which in themselves is no more justifiable than tips, really any loss to tho producers ? The ComnmTslon does not enter into any detailed answer to this important question. It can only urge shippers So insist upon a halfpenny freight in place cf the three farthings. It speaks somewhat airily of the Government being in a position to guarantee freight on perishable products. If freights are to be reduced tS can only bo by business procedure, not by paper sohemes, or hasty legislation interfering with established usages.