DAIRY PRODUCE VALUES.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 October 1921, Page 4

DAIRY PRODUCE VALUES.

OUTLOOK FOR NEW SEASON. AUSTRALIAN COMPETITION. LONDON HOUSES CAUTIOUS. Speaking at a meeting of suppliers to the New Zealand Dairy Company, held at Drury last week, Mr. A. J. Sinclair assistant manager of the company, commented on the prospects for this season’s dairy produce, as disclosed by th< latest cables received from the managing director, Mr. William Goodfellow, who is at present in London. “It is unfortunate that' Australia’s new season’s butter is being offered ii the Home market at extremely low prices, Victorian first-grade being quoted at 150 s c.i.f. London,” said Mr. Sinrlair. “The Imperial Government’s stocks of last season’s butter are being cleared very slowly, and reports indicate that a considerable portion of this is of such low grade as to be unfit foi consumption. Labor troubles at Hom< have depressed the pur chasing power oi the people. These three factors tend t« make London houses cautious, and th< probability is that they will reduce ad* vance prices against produce on consignment. This, of course, will mean a corresponding reduction in advance payments for butter at this end.

“The comforting feature is that the price of 230 s quoted for Danish buttei constitutes an increase of 6s during the past ten days. Evidently there are plenty of people at Home willing tq pay a good price for a high-grade ar tide, and it is gratifying to be able to report that the butter now being manufactured by the Dairy Company hal never been better in quality, some parcels having secured 95 points at the grading stores. Mr. Goodfellow has cabled that only a high grade of dairy produce will be acceptable on the Home market this season, and that second-, grade butter and cheese will bring markedly reduced prices. “The position with regard to cheese,* remarked Mr. Sinclair, “is slightly more favorable. Mr. Goodfellow cables that cheese mospects are at least equal to and probably better than the butter outlook. f

“There is no cause for undue pessimism. Undoubtedly the dairy farmer will require to exercise most rigid economy this season, as well as to put forth his best efforts in extension of production and maintenance of a high standard of produce. In view ot the depression existing in other branches of our primary industries, and bearing in mind the financial obligations devolving l 'upon the Government, a heavy responsibility rests upon the dairy producer at the present time.”