BUYERS’ RUSE

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12616, 29 November 1926, Page 7

BUYERS’ RUSE

“SCOOP” CONTROLLED BUTTER EXPLANATION OF SUDDEN RISE BOARD ADVANCES PRICES, BUT HAS NO STOCKS On Friday last news was received in Wellington of a marked improvement in the demand for Now Zealand butter. The same message announced a rise in the price of the controlled article. No explanation has been offered either, by the Dairy Control Board or from London of the advance, but investigations made locally throw some light on the situation. 1$ is significant that the cnbiogram which informed us of tho improved demand for New Zealand butter stated also that the price for the best Australian was superior by a Tew shillings. It has been ascertained in Wellington that the cause of tho phenomenon was that London buyers suddenly descended on tho market and scooped the controlled stocks. Tho board replied by advancing the price daily. But the "board has run out of supplies, and as no butter can reach the market for another ten days at least, buyers are benefiting at the expense of the producers.

It is reiterated that all sections of the trad© feel they have real grievances against price-fixing, which has dislocated distributive business and alienated goodwill. In retaliation, buyers, it is credibly reported, have planned to neglect New Zealand butter except the market is at bottom. That is, they will purchase only when it suits their ends.