THE PRICE OF BUTTER

Taranaki Daily News, 30 July 1921, Page 4

THE PRICE OF BUTTER

THE POSITION AFTER CONTROL.

FARMERS FAVOR FREEDOM.

By Telegraph.-—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. “That the Government be asked to legislate to prevent speculation in butter when butter control expires.” The foregoing was the text of a motion moved by Mr. McPadden (Buller), at the Farmers’ Union Conference to-day. Air. Wilson (Piopio) urged that butter should be brought under the Trade and Commerce Act to prevent manipulation against the interests of the consumer. He instanced a case in Wellington where a dealer who had been selling butter at twopence per pound cheaper than others was told to increase his price. He re-' faded ana his supplies were cut off. Air. Duffield (Horotiu) said that to control such mutters a Board of Trade was needed and the farmers did not want a Board of .trade.

In the course of discussion, several members expressed a decided opinion that Government control of trade matters must ceaue.

Air. Lysnar (Gisborne) said trusts were already beginning to operate with butter in New Zealand. He warned the conference of the danger of allowing such a state of affairs to continue.

Air. Wilson contended that the dairv people only asked for freedom to sell their butter and get as high a price as they can for it. What they really wanted was that the ordinary law o£ supply and demand should operate., Air. AfcPadden said the main object of his motion wae to protect the people of New Zealand.

After further discussion the following amendment was moved and carried ynanimously: “That this conference affirm the principle of retail pricee being governed by competition and the ordinary supply and demand of articles.

ACTING-PREMIER INTERVIEWED. NO DECISION YET. PREMIER’S RETURN AWAITED. Wellington, Last Night. The attention of the acting-Premier was drawn to-day to the resolution moved at the Dominion Farmers’ Union conference by Air. McPadden (Buller) suggesting that .the Government be asked to legislate to prevent speculation in butter when control expires and to an amendment eventually passed by the conference affirming the principle of retail prices being governed by competition and the ordinary sujmly and demand of articles.

The Afinister stated, however, that ho was not in a position to make any statement. It is understood Cabinet has considered to a certain extent what will be the position when butter control ceases, but nothing has been decided yet, nor is likely to be decided until after Air. Massey’s return to New Zealand

THE ENGLISH MARKET. BUTTER AND CHEESE PRICES. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received July 29, 5.5 pjn. London, July 28. Jn th© butter market prices aio steady. Cheese is quiet; New Zealand white 132 s to 1345, colored 128 s to 130 s; Australian white 124 s to 126 a, colored 12l)s to 1245. The tendency is upwards, as Canadian is quoted at 136 s to 140 s c.i.f., equal to about 150 a here. —Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.