BUTTER TRADE

Hokitika Guardian, 25 November 1930, Page 6

BUTTER TRADE

DECLINE IN PRICES, (By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, November 24. Cable advice has been received that the members of the Importers’ Association of Tooley Street, London, are holding a meeting on Wednesday to discuss the possible steps to be taken to arrest the present downward tendency of New Zealand dairy produce. “RUINOUS COMPETITION.” HAMILTON, November 24. Four hundred dairy farmers, representing South Auckland dairy companies, met at Matamata and discussed the butter price cutting war and schemes for stabilising prices. The following resolution was adopted: “That in view of the extremely low prices of butter and the great disparity, between New Zealand and Danish butter, the directors of co-operative dairy companies throughout the Dominion be urged to get together and reorganise their marketing methods, with the object of reducing the ruinous competition which exists between various agents handling New Zealand butter on the overseas market. The following resolution also was carried: “That in view of the high cost of production and maintenance of Government .and national services, and in consideration of the extremely grave economic, position confronting the primary producers, rendering it impossible to carry on other than at a loss, this meeting urges the Government to take immediate steps to review and to relieve the situation in order to avert ultimate national disaster.”

ASHBURTON, November 24

The Mid-Canterburv Executive of the Farmers’ Union discussed a remit from the Staveley branch that a bounty he granted on all butter and cheese exported from the Dominion, so that tlie price of butter-fat to the producer be brought up to 18d per pound. An amendment was moved and carried, the remit being withdrawn in the meantime, that the Dominion Executive be asked to arrange a deputation of representatives of the union, Sheep Owners’ Federation, and dairy farmers, to impress on the Government the need .for removing the burdens of Government taxation, rates of interest, and cost of production.

NO BUTTER FOR CANADA. EFFECT OF IMPORT DUTY. AUCKLAND, November 24. Ojving to Canada’s tariff against New Zealand butter, exports to, that Doiriiniori have almost ceased. The Niagara, has lately left Auckland for Vancouver, for the first time for many voyages carrying no butter to Canada. The only shipment on hoard was a consignment of 1700 boxes for Honolulu. Heavy consignments have been made to the United Kingdom. The Hertford was dispatched last evening with 46,00 boxes df butter and about 10,000 crates of cheese from Auckland for the United Kingdom. Her total allotment comprised 75,000 boxes of buteter and 36,000 crates of cheese. The Maliia left to-day after having loaded 45,000 boxes o'f butter at this port. She will complete her loading at Wellington, sailing finally from there next Thursday with 60,000 boxes of butter and 28,000 crates of cheese. During December shipments of dairy produce will he dispatched at intervals of less than a week until Christmas. Allotments fo” the whole of the Dominion on the five vessels to sail between 3rd December and 23rd December total 376,000 boxes of butter and 116,000 crates of cheese. Of these quantities arrangements have been made to lift 242,500 boxes of butter and 25,500 crates of cheese from Auckland.