LEVY ON CHEESE.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 May 1916, Page 7

LEVY ON CHEESE.

To the Editor. Sir, —Of -tin: many anomalies which have boon brought about by war conditions, perhaps none other is more unsatisfactory than that caused by the -Government in commandeering at their own price one-tliird of the season's output of cheese. It is often said farmers are not contributing a fair share towards the cost of the war. However this may lie as applied to all producers from the land, the charge cannot be. sustained against that section of farmers who are engaged 111 the production of cheese. At llii! present time there is a slight difference of romething like ten pence per pound 011 butter fat between the price paid by the Government and that at which cheese is being sold on the Home markets, while at 110 time during the season has the difference been less than three pence in favor of Home prices, ilr. Mttssey has said that the .Government's action in taking cheese at this end had the eft'ert of hardening prices in London. Tf that is so, what lias caused the price of butter lo rise in proportion to the price of cheese? With all respect to Mr. Massey's opinion, I,would submit that the cause of the high prices now ruling for butter and cheese is the worldold cause, that of supply and demand. If.it is considered right that one section of producers is entitled to take full advantage of inflated prices, why shfiijld another section be pei;:;li:-cd, as clieesemeu have been* peir.ilired during the past season? By latest -.ible advices (•heese is quoted at )T5». 'Vc are ,told also that the Imperial '•rnmerit is taking most of the cheo:- I'ering. This means that the Imperial Government is buying our consignments at over twelve pence farthing per pound, while it pays only sevenpence farthing, plus halfpenny freight, for that portion which our own Government take at this end.' Now, Sir, those farmers engaged in the production of ch'ccse are just as patriotic and as liberal as those following other pursuits, and would willingly make any necessary sacrifice for a good cause, but they are naturally asking why this levy lias been imposed 011 them while others similarly engaged in producing from the soil go free. If coinmandocr!'ns is to be the order for next season it is to be hoped those most interested will be wide awake when prices are being fi.vd —I am, etc.. CHEESE. Omata, May 22.