BUTTER AND CHEESE.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 September 1922, Page 4

BUTTER AND CHEESE.

HANDUNG ON STEAMERS. TARANAKI MEMBER’S COMPLAINT. FLUCTUATIONS OF PRICES. (By Wire—Parliamentary Reporter.) Wellington, Last Night. “Representations have been made to me by exporters of butter and cheese that the handling of their produce on the ships is not satisfactory,” said Mr. O. Hawken (Egmont) in the House today. “They tell me that last season the butter and cheese were put on board the boats in better condition than ever before in the history of the industry, but the produce suffered considerable damage before it reached the buyers in Britain, and many claims had to be I paid. The claims showed that the circulation of air in the holds of some of the ships was not satisfactory.” Mr. Massey promised to make inquiries. He said that he realised the importance of getting the produce to Britain in the best possible condition. Replying to a question asked by Mr. W. H. Field (Otaki), the Prime Minister said that the monthly shipments of butter and cheese from New Zealana to Britain had been fairly regular during the past season, and fluctuations on the market could not be traced to irregularity of shipments. The fall in the price of butter in London during December was due to efforts made by the Imperial Government to clear their stocks. The market improved immediately these stocks were disposed of in •January, and continued to rise’ steadily, except for a set-back during May until the beginning of July, when the highest point of the season was reached. The market had been weaker during recent weeks, but was still at a good paying price. The prices for cheese had followed a similar course to those for butter.

Mr. Field had suggested in his question that the shipment of dairy produce was controlled by one firm or person in Sydney, that the market was alternately glutted and starved, and that speculators with inside knowledge were able to make big profits at the expense of the producers and the consumers. “I am not aware, and do not believe, that such practices are carried on in connection with the shipment of New Zealand products,” said the Prime Minister. “I understand that overseas shipping trading to New Zealand is directed from London, and that the New Zealand representatives have untrammelled discretion regarding the loading of ships.”

QUESTION OF CONTROL. MEETING NEXT WEEK. ALL COMPANIES REPRESENTED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. What will be a unique occasion is a meeting to be held at Wellington on September 14, inasmuch as it will be the. first occasion on which a delegate from each of the dairy factories in the Dominion has been invited to attend. The purpose of the meeting is to consider the question of a control board for dairy produce similar to the meat control board. There have been large meetings of dairying interests previously, but of delegates only from each provincial district. whereas on this occasion ail dairy factories have been asked to each send a representative. It is probable that the question of freights and shipping will be considered again about the same time.