BUTTER PRICES

Hokitika Guardian, 22 October 1920, Page 1

BUTTER PRICES

(Cur Parliamentary Correspondent.) WELLiNCtCN, Oct. 21. A statement that some grocers were chargiiig 2s 4d for butter over tlie counter was made in tlie House by Mr Sullivan (Avon), who asked if the Government would consider increasing the subsidy, in order that grocers might get a larger profit op butter they handled. The Prime Minister replies that th Government would not consider any increase of subsidy. Government had gone.as far as it was possible in undertaking to pay a subsidy at the rate o' £OOO,OOO per year, in order that tinretail price might be kept down. II grocers charged more than the pro claimed price of 2s 3d per pound for cash, .they, would be doing something unlawful, which would not be permitted. The price of butter was increase*’ by slightly more than 3d per pound between the factory door and the grocers’ counter. If this amount had been suffi eient at the old price, it ought to be sufficient now since the amount of handling required had not increased. Grocers bad better sec how the arrangement worked. If they found that it was not fair to them, they could approach the Minister for Agriculture later, and suggest a change.