NEW ZEALAND BUTTER.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 588, 30 November 1920, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND BUTTER.

FREE MARKET QUESTION.

CANDID ADMISSION

SLASHING CRITICISM

The following letter written by a Mr. T. C. Brash appeared in the London Times of August 13, 1920, and should be read with interest by dairy farmers. The writer says:— "Look at the position regarding New Zealand butter. The latest con- . tract between the New Zealand producers and the Ministry of Food has just ended. The price to the pro- ' ducers was Is 7%d per lb. f.0.b., New Zealand, and this was the highest price paid to the New Zealand producers by the Imperial Government since the war commencer. During the term of the two years' contract the Ministry of Food made a profit of nearly four million pounds sterling cut of New Zealand butter and cheese. It may be said, and has been said by officials of the Ministry of Food, that the producers of New Zealand agreed to the above contract, but here let me add that the producers were reminded that the Imperial Government controlled all the refrigerated space, that no free imports would be allowed into this country, and were further threatened that unless they sold their butter the New Zealand cheese would not be purchased. During the present summer an entirely free market has been granted to the butter, and cheese producers of England, Scotland and Ireland, and New Zealanders, being of the opinion that they too, as British subjects, have equal rights, are asking the same privilege for butter. This request has been refused, with the result that negotiations are already taking place for shipment of at least a portion of New Zealand butter to America. What have New Zealand and Australia done to merit this treatment ? One prominent member of the Butter and Cheese Advisory Committee recently said that the treatment of New Zealand was "damnable.' Is it to be wondered at that the New Zealand producers are inclined to agree with him?"