THE BITTER MARKET.

Otago Witness, Issue 2817, 4 March 1908, Page 23

THE BITTER MARKET.

The price of first-grade factory butter was on the 27th advanced by Id per lb, and the tariff now stands: — Bulk, Is Id; prints, Is l?d booked, and Is l£d cash. The immediate reason for this advance is that North I«lanJ firms have been quietly buy- j ins? up butter on this market in order to fill orders for export, a sufficient supply not being- available in the north to fill contracts for early shipment. Thus, in self-defence, and in order to ensure the supply of local requirements, the Taieri and Peninsula Company has been compelled to put up tho price. In all probability matters will assume a normal condition in about another month's time, especially ac the Home market shows signs of flumping. It ia not likely that any further increa*«. in the local price wili be found

necessary, and po^ibly by the end ol March a reduction may be possible. . AUCKLAND, February 27. j The shortage of butter is becoming so pronounced that the price of all brands of the factory article i 6 being increased to Is 3d per ib who'^sale as from to-day. PALMERfc.TJN N., February 28. A cablegram received to-day by a comj rnercial firm in town states that the butter I market in Condon has fallen further. Ne\r Zealand butter is now quoted at from 130s to 1345, with no buyers. It is expected that there will ba a further decline to 120s. I The cheese market is reported firm.