THE BUTTER MARKET.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 288, 29 June 1917, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE BUTTER MARKET.

Discussing the butter market, the "Mercantile Gazette" .says that the holders of the vast quantity of butter in store, which at the end of May was 242,161 boxes as against ?3,907 boxes at the dose of May, 1910, are at la.st beginning to realise that they had better take advantage of the local market. The maximum prices for butter fixed by Order-in-Council provided as follows :—Manufacturer's price Is 4Jd per lb., merchant's price Is 51d. per lb., retailer's price Is Ed. per lb. With the huge quantity in store and the prospects of shipping to London being great!* reduced, it is becoming recognised that it would lie better to realise, even at \ loss, than keep on holding for an opportunity to export. It i« stated that now that butter has been withdrawn from store and scld in New Zealand at Is 3d; if this lie sn, then trtc butter should be retailed :<.t K CmL instead of Is. Sd. Even the lower prk'e is unwarranted by the condition';. Tn A ietoria where there is a scarcity of butter, the price has been fixed at Is. sd. per lb., and that ought to be til? retail price in New Zealand. The more prudent holders of butter will presently recognise that it i'. belter to cut and get the best prices obtainable locally. The London market is dead for the pre ent, and although we are promised an improvement in tonnage by the end of next month, there is no guarantee of fulfilment. If butte" is placed on the market; here at a reduced nri"o the consumption would readily increase, and that would help to releave the conge .tion."