WELLINGTON NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 25 May 1926, Page 4

WELLINGTON NEWS

THE PRODUCE MARKETS. (Special to “ Guardian.”) WELLINGTON, May 21. Noiv tJliat tlie strike in Britain is over the produce markets are'settling down to normal business, and some anxiety exists as to the trend of prices of dairy produce. During the strike New Zealand butter was distributed on the basis of I7ls per cwt which was the price immediately before the strike began. Early in the week advices were received that prices had declined 2s per cwt, which brings the price down to. 1695. If the amrket can be held up at that it would be quite satisfactory. but there does not appear to be much hope of that being accomplished because of the inflow of continental supplies which are reported to show an increase of about G per cent on last season’s output. Furthermore, Home supplies are increasing and next month will see the flush of the European make. Long-stored New Zealand butter must lie marketed in competition with the fresh European supplies, and the result must be detrimental to the Dominion. Even before much European butter was available tile dealers in Tooley Street were stipulating for freshly-arrived' New Zealand lmtter, and show a great reluctance to accept the stored article. However, the situation should he clearer in the course of a day or two. It is interesting to note that the s.s. “ Mamari ” was expected to reach London on May 20th with. 50,301 boxes of butter, the s.s. “ Turakimi,” on May 25th, with 23,9-15 boxes, the “ Waimana ” on May 710th with 20,012 boxes, the “ Port Victor ” also on May 30th with 21,493 boxes, and the “ Rotorua ” on June 3rd with 40,361 boxes. This gives a total of 159,117 boxes or 3,978 tons to reach the market in the course of about a fortnight. The dairy farmers and dairy produce are likely to be much in evidence during the next two or three months owing to pending legislation, and also to the pending litigation in the Supreme Court. The Government has to bring in an amendment of the Dairy Export Control Act to deal with the system of representation, and Mr Veitcli is to introduce a bill in respect to absolute control. This proposed legislation may be held up until the Supreme Court gives its decision under the Declaratory Judgments Act provided that decision is given in time to anticipate the system of absolute control corning into' force. The Prime -Minister is obviously against absolute control, at least that can be .gathered from his press mouthpiece, the “ N.Z. Times.” The Cream Grading Bill will he introduced by the .Minister of Agriculture, and the measure will enforce a difference in payment for cream according to grade. Probably second grade cream will rule at a half-penny less than first-grade. Some large concerns have been successfully working j compulsory grading with differential prices, but the weakness of the system so far has been that any serious attempt to enforce it in tlie'interest of the whole industry lias led to the suppliers deserting the more efficient factory for one where grading is not compulsory. Compulsory grading is in operation in Ontario, Canada, and the New Zealand Bill will probably follow, the lines of the Ontario measure. UNEMPLOYMENT.

As yet the cry of the unemployed is not very loud, but that there are a very big number of unemployed in the cities and towns is recognised. Shrewd business men believe that the number will increase as the winter advances, and it is doubtful whether that in the spring and slimmer months work will lie found for all. The economic conditions of the country have undergone a violent change during the past twelve mouths and individual views and conditions must be changed accordingly. Relief works are certain to be started by f e Government and local bodies, and the Wellington unemployed have been urged to insist upon Union wages, otherwise unionists may be displaced. This opens up some interesting ques- 1 tions. It. supposing a man who has been a clerk, or a waiter or a carpenter is put to manual labour, say on road I construction, should such an individual receive the award rate seeing that fie I is unfit for the work, and could not possibly earn the award rate? Then again, it the number of unemployed increases. it would be impossible for the authorities to find work for all, and private charity, that is money collected from the people may be required to help. This form -of relief, it is eontended by some, should not exceed bare sustenance, lor it .should bn impressed upon those receiving relief that they must make strenuous efforts to find more congenial work. The relief is only to keep the wolf from the door, and not intended to supply nights at the pictures, or snjalJ bets at the races. i

In (lavs homo by it seemed more than cloubt'fiil whether New Zealand would even* jjrocliico tobacco really worth ■smoking. But now, owing to improved methods of culture and manufacture, the Dominion is growing tobacco of really fine quality, and farmers in d’stricts where it flourishes are- finding it more and more worth their while to cultivate it as a side-line. 'Unit there is money in it for the grower is demonstrated by the fact that the average yield of a tol.riceo crop per acre is worth, £5!), sometimes more. As for the manufacturers they are to be heartily congratulated on successfully establishing an industry which net only already finds employment for many workers hot promises to become of immense assistance to agriculturists and a source of our national wealth. The leading brands of these tobaccos are: Riverhead Gold, a pure aromatic of very agreeable flavour, Navy Cut (Bulldog) a medium-flavoured tobacco very popular with, smokers and Cut Plug No. II) (Bullsiiead), a fine - full flavoured variety that has innuniernole friends.— Advt. •