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Hokitika Guardian, 8 March 1927, Page 2

I'ltF. question of butter control is agair exorcising the mind of the producers many of whom are alarmed very seriouslv at the parlous state of the market. The country at the moment is

waiting a statement from the Prime Minister on the subject, for Air Coates during his sojourn at Horne had the opportunity of looking closely into the position, and meeting the British buyers personally Unfortunately tlio present congested state of the Dominion butter supply suggests Mr Coates made little real headway or there would not he the present stores of New Zealand butter in England and here, while other countries, and notably Australia and Argentine at long distance, arc selling their stocks as quickly as cargoes reach the market. It is alleged that there is not any other country supplying Britain with butter where owners of dairy produce are prohibited by the exercise of power granted to a control hoard by an act of Parliament from disposing of their property when, where and to

whom they like. Anti Britain has many markets from which to draw supplies, and buyers at Home with their own money may purchase as they please. Free marketing of course is the usual style of trading, and the introduction of the unusual appears to have soured the ordinary run of buyers who are

avoiding New Zealand dairy produce at “controlled'’ prices, while a speculative market is open. The test appears to be what other countries are doing with a free market. As far as can bo gathered Danish butter continues to sell readily at a higher price, and a greater quantity of this higher priced commodity is being disposed of than, that under control from New Zealand. Judged on these lines, the system now legalised hy this country is a costly failure. If it is purely experimental the sooner it is dropped the better, for there is a most depressing feeling prevalent among the producers, who are disheartened by the present, position and the prospects which appear to bo ahead. flic result of the present dairying season is likely to be a set back for those engaged in it, and if the cause comes to he centred on control methods then the Government which sanctioned thorn and permits them to remain, must hear the blame. Ihe dairying re-

turns arc a material (iguro in the county's general prosperity, and if that, is being tampered with by artificial means the sooner they are removed and legitimate trading methods substituted the hotter. I lie control principle both in regard to dairying and .sawmilling has iiecn very unsatisfactory to this part of the Dominion.