BUTTER CONTROL

Southland Times, Issue 18854, 21 June 1920, Page 5

BUTTER CONTROL

CONTINUANCE TILL MARCH. THE AUSTRALASIAN PURCHASE. (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON. June 13. The Food Controller has informed Mr Osborne Sinclair that the Government has decided to maintain control of butter until March 31, 1921. The delegates; fully discussed the terms of the Australasian purchases with the Controller and officials, and the terms were likely to he settled within a few days. PURCHASE OF NEW ZEALAND BUTTER. (Per United Press Association.) NEW PLYMOUTH, June 19. In commenting upon the message from Ixmdon stating that the Imperial Government was prepared to negotiate for the exportable surplus of butter from New Zea land until March 31, 1921, similar to the previous contracts. Mr Morton, chairman of the National Dairy Association, stated to a Daily News reporter to-night that he interpreted the message a.s an indication that- the British Government intended to continue the commandeer until the date mentioned. Previously, added Mr Merton, the Food Ministry were divided in opinion ns to whether or not they should continue the control nr de-control the price of butter, end it now appeared that they had reached the decision not to de-control prices. To do this the British Government mus import butter themselves, which meant that the commandeer would continue as long as control lasted, and producers would be unable to sell in the open market. Mr Morton said he antirip,t ed that New Zealand butter would be sold for 3s in England, and that 2s 3d per Ih would be netted to the dairy factories. Regarding the local market, Mr Morton said Mr Massey had given an assurance that the producers would receive a price equal to the export value of their produce, which in this case would be about 2s 3d.