THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 453, 8 April 1909, Page 3

THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

FALL IN PRICES AT PIOME. Auckland, Tuesday. In conversation with a business man largely interested in the dairy industry, a Star reporter was informed that, fortunately, the fall had come too late in the season to seriously affect the industry for this year. The fall in London, he said, is due to the first arrivals of the Danish and Siberian butter on the market, and in an ordinary season this does not come until New Zealand exports have practically ceased ; but this year the season has lasted longer than usual. There is no> the slightest chance of butter being brought to New Zealand, as that can only be done when prices are high here, and even then it does not pay. Of course, the position at Wellington is different at present to what it is in Auckland. A new firm has started in that city, and as a result there has been a good d eal of slaughtering of butter to get trade. With regard to the statement in the cable that the quality of New Zealand butter is unsatisfactory, it is strange that such should be cabled, and yet shippers here have not received any complaints. It is very fortunate that there are only about eight weeks to run this season before the factories close down. As to the loss of those who had contracted ahead, it must be borne in mind that they bought for the whole season, and while they may lose now, at the fag-end, they no doubt made their profit earlier on. It is not likely that prices in Auckland will be seriously affected, because there are not large stocks stored here, as export was continued later. There are still a few shipments to arrive in London, and for those lower prices will most probably have to be accepted. The question of the price of butter in the immediate future in Auckland depends a good deal upon weather conditions. Last year there was no really cold weather until well on to the end of May, but this season a sharp cold snap set in at the end of March. A continuance of such weather would shoiteu supplies considerably, and theu pirces would be firm.