PRICE OF BUTTER.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 May 1917, Page 3

PRICE OF BUTTER.

Statement by Minister. WELLINGTON, May 3rd. Hon. W. D. S. MacDonald mad© a statement to-day re price of butter. He says that a gazette notice was issued under the regulations of the Trade and Commerce Act in February which fixed the maximum wholesale and retail price of butter during the months form February to August inclusive. The maximum wholesale price

of butter ay sold bv the manufacturer delivered in boxes at the factory on tlie usual trade terms allowed for a farthing storage .during tbe month of March, and one eighth of a penny during the months of April, May, June and July. Thus the maximum price chargeable at the factory in April was Is 4^d; May Is 4§d; June ly 4Jd; July Is 4£d; and August Is 4f d. The wholesale distribution is showed of id per lb for patting and delivery to the retailer, but to comply with the customs if the retail trade which does not deal' in eights of a penny. The maximum prices the grocer should pay were fixed in April at Is s}d; May and June Is s£d; July and August Is sfd. Retailers were allowed on the whole 2d per pound for the cost of distributing to the public, hut as the grocer could not conveniently collect farthings from the consumer, the Board decided lie should during April and May receive only Is 7d; and during June, July, and August Is Bd. Wilder this arrangement a grocer doing a normal trade will average slightly over 2d per lb during the period covered. The Minister pointed out that it was a breach of the Order-in-Council for a grocer during May to charge more than Is 7d per pound, and it will he a breach to charge more than Is 8d during June, July,, and August. The public should get butter at the schedule rates and if the public would report any breaches of the regulation to the Board, action would he taken and compel compliance with the Order.

An Echo of 1913 StrikeWellington, May 4 The arreßt of Alfred Henry Chard yesterday provided an echo of the 1913 strike. Chard was ohargrd that on November Bth, 1913, he triad to procure oartain persons unknown to oommit murder. The charga relates to a meeting of watersiders held in Wellington during the big strike whereat Chard, it ia alleged, made statement* inciting his hearers to murder c6rta'n people. He then it is beiieved cleared out to Frisco staying there soma time. Efficiency Boards. Dunedin, May 4

Referring to the Otago Labour Council’s protest as to the lack of labour representation on the Efficiency Board, Sir James Allen states that the matter has bean considered in all its aspects. It was impracticable and averse to the object of the establishment of Boards, to appoint represents, fives wholly in the interests of one class. The Board had to view the question of efficiency from the national standpoint and its recommendations to Cabinet shewed that the members were alive to the interests of labour, and were very sympathetic with labour.