THE PRICE OF BUTTER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 329, 16 June 1911, Page 5

THE PRICE OF BUTTER.

IMPORTATION OF SUPPLIES FROM AUSTRALIA. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The statement of certain dairy factory authorities that the retail price of but* ter would reach Is 6d per lb. in the Do* minion this winter owing to the abort* age of supplies caused rather a flutter among merchant firms, who feared that there was a "ring" in operation to keij» up the price of this commodity. Ia view of the plentiful supplies reported in Australia, where first grade butter during the last few weeks has beejJ selling on the local market at several pence per pound cheaper than New Zealand manufactured butter, a local firm cabled an order to Sydney for supplies. The Moeraki on Wednesday brought over 100 cases, which are now placed in cold storage in Wellington, with a vieV to the market here being tested with New South Wales butter. The shipment is of the first grade selling in Sydney at less than lid per lb. Butter ol similar quality cannot be obtained from the factories here under Is Id per lb* Adding the 20 per cent, duty the imported butter can be sold at Is 2d per lb. retail. "I hear," remarked a city merchant to a "Times" reporter to-day, "that the South Island market will be tested with a shipment of butter from Melbourne, better steamship communication existing between the south with Melbourne than Sydney. The quality of the shipment of New South Wales butter now in Wellington should convince people who talk a lot that just as good butter can be manufactured in Australia as in New Zealand."

A deputation from the Wellington Trades and Labor Council will wait on the Hon. R. MeKenzie, Acting-Minister, of Customs, to-morrow afternoon, with a request that butter be brought within the -operations of. the Prevention of Monopolies Act.