FARM-MADE BUTTER.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXIII, 10 December 1920, Page 2

FARM-MADE BUTTER.

THE CLAIM FOK A SUBSIDYThe demand for the payment of a subsidy on farm-made butler is stilt receiving-the attention of the Agricultural Department. The authorities recognise that the farmer::, concerned have a grievance, but the devising of a scheme to meet the ease is not cany. The factories are getting the export price, -N (id per lb, for their butter, but the local wholesale market is supplied at about 2s per lb, the difference being made up by the Government in order that the New Zealand consumers may be supplied with butter at 2s :,d per lb. This artificial restraint of the local price means a corresponding reduction in the price paid by storekeepers for farm-made butter, but the producer., of this butter get no sobsidy. They are placed at a disadvantage as compared wi-li 'he factory »upplier. Most of the farm-made butter is produced it; Auckland and Otago, and branches, of the Farmers' Union in those districts have made representation-, on the subject. ... It in pointed out. however, that the farm butter is not gr~ied; that it is sold in email quantities through very many channel.; that its quality varies widely, and that tbe payment-of a subsidy would involve a very elaborate system of account* and check*. No scheme that is regarded as practical has yet been s»;g«e-.stfc f i.