BUTTER BOXES.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 403, 9 April 1937, Page 4

BUTTER BOXES.

j TIMBER EXPORTS. j Minister’s Reply to Farmers’ Union Inquiry. A reply to an inquiry made by the Stratford Sub-provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union concerning a report that butter boxes were manufactured in Australia from New Zealand white pine and! sold in Neln 1 Zealand at a cheaper price than New Zealand boxes, was before to-day’s meeting of the North Taranaki Executive at Stratford. “Upon investigation it appears that there is no truth in the statement made, for no butter boxes manufactured in Australia from New Zealand white pine have, to iny knowledge, been imported into New Zealand during the current dairying season,” wrote Hon. D. G. Sullivan, Minister of Industries and Commerce. “The statement referred to made mention that boxes could possibly be imported and compete, but it must be borne in mind that such boxes must conform to the specifications as required by the Dairy Division of the Department of Agriculture, and from samples of Australian boxes that have been submitted to the State Forest Service, these do not appear to come up to New Zealand requirements. I may add that already enquiries have been instituted to see that containers are made available for next season’s requirements at the cheapest possible arice. You may rest assured that I im keeping in close touch with the question of the price of butter boxes .n order to prevent any suggestion of exploitation either by millers or box manufacturers.” Mr. H. C. Sorensen said that in j Australia 33 boxes could be manufac- ; lured out of 100 feet of white pine. : whereas under the New Zealand regu- [ tations only 25 boxes could be made. | The letter was received.