The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) SATURDAY, MAY 3rd, 1924. DAIRY PRODUCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 May 1924, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) SATURDAY, MAY 3rd, 1924. DAIRY PRODUCE.

1 ill: |.osiinm oi the British market l'or daiiy produce, remains the .Mercantile Gazelle i.s such as to cause some anxiety to tile l-inducers in New Zealand and not without leasou. It is not merely that New Zealand butter had icccdcit in va.ue, hut all butters imported into Y.ngland register heavy declines (luring me past lour or live weeks, Datii.s.i lintter snowing the heaviest decline. Between Mme.i •-ml April, New Zealand salted diopied .'jOs per cut.; New /.calami unsalted 245; Australian salted 31s; nns.lted 2fis; Argentine 20s and •Hauisli no less tlian I Is. The geneinl tall in values covering every grade and quality of iiiii-oited butter is a clear indication that .sti|.plie.s have readied the point at which prices are affected. tin's might have been foreseen, and piobaldy was by some of the facto; its and agents, but not by the producers. T.\o years ago European agriculture was ill a bad way, the effect ol the war was still felt, especially in the dairying industry. The imports ol butler into the I'uitod Kingdom in 1921 from Continental Europe were small, and the total ilii]M>rtation was below the consumptive demand, and prices for all classes of butter were high. In 1922 there was all increase in the impoits. the Continent showing a fair iucicn.se but not sufficient to materially affect prices. List year there was a very substantial increase, especially, from Europe. and the current season’s production of the South Hemisphere has sold at lower p; in’s I lom in the previous season. The output I'ioni Australia and Argentine has IntLeily increased, more than covering the ilelicienc.v irom New Zc..liiml. An increased output is expected from .Europe during the next few months, and. as Russia is likely to lie exporting many tons of butter, there is not much chance of prices ieei.coring. Last year New Zealand cheese was making about l ilts per cwt.: now it is dow n to about 88s. The high prices have drawn supplies, ami Hie increased supplies have brought down the prices. The New Zealand fiairyfarmors may safely assume that the period of high prices for hut ter and cheese is over for the time being. It is very likely that the drop in values will continue, and prices next season will lie lower than they are now. The Dairy Control Board will he impotent in this matter, concludes the Wellington critic, for the Board cannot vary or alter the laws of supply and demand. The Board will make inquiries and send its niembius galivitntiiig roimil the world just as the Meat Buinil las done, and so luinis'i an excuse for squandering money.