N.Z. BUTTER

Hokitika Guardian, 12 March 1927, Page 2

N.Z. BUTTER

MR COATES’S STATEMENT

[I.Y TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

WELLINGTON, March 11

The Prime Minister to-night made a statement on the position of New Zealand butler on the London market which he described as inr from satisfactory, and as giving cause for eon--corn. He desired to make it clear that neither be nor the Government could interfere with the exercise by the Control Board of its statutory, functions.

When in London in October, he said, he met a deputation from practically all _ the interests that had for years been handling New Zealand dairy produce in the United Kingdom. On October 27th, he telegraphed the ActingPrime Minister his considered views on the question, which were made public, and which he understood, were not acceptable by the Dairy Control Board. Following the decision of the Board, a further meeting took, place betweeti him (Mr Coates) and the various interests concerned, with the result that a committee consisting of representatives of the Dairy Board and the other interests involved was set up to facilitate, ms far as possible, arrangements for the disposal of New Zealand product. He understands that this committee is still operating. The latest advices received by the Government, he said, indicated considerable hostility on the part of the trade to the policy of price-fixation, although there were additional causes bringing about the present difficulty, such as the general trade situation, the decreased purchasing power of the people owing to the long duration of the coal strike, and also this season’s operations were.greatly prepudiced by the necessity of quitting approximately 600.(ICO boxes of butter held in store at the beginning of the season, for the accumulations of which the Dairy Board .was not responsible.

Although the dairy producers were mostly directly concerned, yet, in view of the magnitude of tlie interests at stake, the welfare of the whole Dominion being deeply involved, lie strongly deprecated the introduction of party political feeling. He hoped no attempt would be made to do so. He.saw no reasons to make; niiy change in seeing to the maintenance of a high standard of quality, leaving the Board to arrange for the transfer, insurance and storage charges, and to supervise the marketing in the old orld. The Government would be only too giul to assist the oard, it asked in fading a solution of the present, and of any future difficulties in connection witn thre marketing of our dairy produce.