Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star WEDNESDAY, OCT. 13th, 1920. PRICE OF BUTTER.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 October 1920, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star WEDNESDAY, OCT. 13th, 1920. PRICE OF BUTTER.

Butter, like a well-advertised baking powder, is sure to rise. An inspired announcement bints that the retail price is to be 2/6. Previously 2/10 had been whispered abroad and there was much irate comment. In the reduced price there is some suggestion of tempering the wind to the shorn lamb, but even at 2/6 there is going to be a public outcry. The difference to the producer who is receiving already an .erahninced pri'cjb for blutter .fat,, will •be passed on to the public in another way, n subsidy out of the consolidated, fund. This is not satisfactory either. The situation has been produced by the failure of the Government to deal fairly all round with the cost of living. When the gold-miners' product was at stake, the Government had no compunction in limiting his price. Th e Government is equally unfavorably disposed to the sawmiller who is denied the open market. Prices of other commodities are controlled, and the courts are engaged with alleged changes of profiteering. Is butter so essential a food commodity, to escape control? The "Otago Daily Times” which is not apt to be censorious regarding the actions of the Government condemns unreservedly the position which has arisen in the last few days in regard to the price of butter. "The butter factories,” says the southern journal, “bad been led to believe that the revised price would be agreed on in ample

time, 'but that price hjd not yet been fixed, and it is now several days s'nce the last of the old season’s butter left some of the factories. The fact that the new season’s butter has been manufactured from butter-fat purchased at ( 2s 6d per lb was equally well-known to , the authorities, as were also the circumstances which made it necessary to pay that price. The manufacturers of cheese and other uncontrolled milk products were receiving 2s 6d per lb. for butter-fat and consequently if butter was to be manufactured the ruling price must necessarily be paid for the raw material. The upshot of the position was, therefore, that the wholesale distributors were compelled to charge a

fix lire wit lull wuuiu i/iicuiij uuu wc retailers followed the same procedure.” Tile Dunedin newspaper makes guarded comment on the evidence given by officers of the 'Agricultural Department before the Butter Committee. It says that this evidence “has failed to impress the public,” and it quotes the the sarcastic comments of the “Mercantile Gazette,”, recently published in this paper. “The position as put forward by the departmental accountant,” says the “Otago Daily Times,” “is that some dairy farmers are in imminent danger of being ruined by their excess of assets, which is somewhat different from the average man’s financial embarrassment. Whatever may be done eventually by the Government as a result of the Parliamentary Butter Committee’s report or other considerations, it is certain that public indignation has been widely aroused.” The Dunedin newspaper sees in the circumstances a tendency to “multiply the present unwholesome spirit of unrest.” If it means to imply that the Government should have acted firmly and definitely in refusing to allow foreign export prices to govern the domestic market, then the Government should be consistent and exercise the control it had not neglected to take in other instances.

done the district; As lb tile statesmanship involved, It lb kiiowli that private enterprise lias stepped ill, and taken up the task which should have been done publicly. Further the private enterprise is extending its scope and is going to carry its own line further. If it will pay the private interests to perform a work of such magnitude surely the State could undertake, the work profitably, Very cogent reasons were put forward by tjje people of South Westland in the petition sent to the Minister this year. It was pointed out how the Crown’s estate was going to be enhanced in value, and settlement encouraged in a practical way. But all has been in vain. It is much to be regretted that the Minister’s reply holds out suoli little hope, for if the work were considered in relation to its claims on j the country and the merits of its rev- j enu e possibilties, there should be no j second opinion about pushing the pro- , jeet forward. The broad fact is that the people were promised the line and the money was voted. The community should not accept the reply tamely but should protest unitedly and demand fair treatment. Here is a matter the Progress League might well take up and not drop till what is desired is accomplished. There is everything to ih e said in favour of the undertaking and jit should be pressed unflinchingly.

The ’Gaming Act Amendment Bill, as was generally expected, encountered a stormy passage in the House. Even- I tunlly the Premier took the helm, and sought the safety of a. haven by the way j the inevitable commission. Mr Massey was as good as his word in seeing that the bill had “a fair run.” Also, j he was impressed with the support the i measure (got, and was good enough I “sport” to play the game by settling ' the vexed question of extra totalisa- j tor permits in the only reasonable way possible under the circumstances. Mr Hunter who was piloting the Bill was extremely luokv in getting the measure past the second reading division. It is due to the gentleman to say that it is doubtful if any other private mem-' her could have got so far. But having reached the committee stage, the opponents blocked the progress bv a wellorganised stonewall. Then it was the I Prime Minister came to the rescue. Circumstances forced the Government i to adopt a line of policy which will bo something of a. half-way house be- . tween a redistribution of the present I permits and the granting of the limited ’ number of now permits proposed under the bill. It will not be necessary for the Commission to travel very much, ais there are very complete reports on record of all tlie existing racecourses I and the personal inspection will hardly .be required. With the exception of Wellington city, any increases will apply to the country districts, both in regard to racing and trotting. Hunt clubs where they have their own courses will no doubt have a preference in receiving one day certain each year. For the rest there will be a good fight put up by those Clubs lately established in ' new centres, and clubs which suffered a reduction in years gone by. The pro- ; posal to eater more for the country i clubs is a sound one, and if the Commission is a thoroughly independent one if can do fair justice in this respect. It will be satisfactory at all events that a very vexed question is to be brought to a definite issue.