CHEESE PRICES.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 February 1916, Page 2

CHEESE PRICES.

ALLEGED TAXING OP FARMERS, By Telegraph.—Press Association, Auckland, Yesterday. Mr. D. Nathan, of Wellington, speaking at the opening' of the cheese factory at Aka Aka recently, declared that the taking a t 7%d per lb of an article that is to-day worth Sd involved special taxation of a particular section of the farming community. . This view of the position is controverted by Mr. Maseey, who asserts that the requisitioning of a portion of the output has been of direct benefit to cheesemakers. "The effect of the Government's entrance into the market," said Mr. Massey, ''was that the price .of cheese went up with a bound and cheese is to-day worth considerably more than the 7'/id per lb which is being paid for the supply for Imperial requirements. The cost of the Imperial order will be about £1,11)0,000. Speaking generally, I can say it has had a very good effect on the industry. Not only is the price of cheese, higher to-day than it has ever been, hut it is worth recalling that before the arrangement was made nearly the whole output of the South Island had been sold at about 7d per 11). The action of the Imperial Government has made certain that shipment for this very valuable product will be secured without difficulty. Otherwise, owing to the scarcity of shipping, there might have been a somewhat serious delay. From November 4, at the inception of the scheme, to February 3 the Government purchased 5014 tons, the payments amounting to £338,108, on behalf of the Imperial Government.