MARKET FOR BUTTER

Wairarapa Age, 12 March 1927, Page 5

MARKET FOR BUTTER

THE POSITION IN LONDON. APPEALS TO PREMIER. » jkIR. COATES ON THE OUTLOOK. The present state of the British butter market as it affects New Zealand is exciting interest and concern, not only amongst dairy fanners and dairy companies, but in political circles. A statement on the subject by the Prime Minister appears below. The Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. O. J. Hawken) declined to comment on the situation pending the special meeting of the Dairy Produce Board to-day. The Government, Mr. Hawken said, was not anxious to interfere with the board. It wished the board to pursut its own policy. MORE PRICE REDUCTIONS. DEMAND VERY SLOW. LONDON, March 10. Despite further reductions in the control price of New Zealand butter to 158 s to IGOs per cwt., the demand is very slow. Unsalted butter is quoted at 166 s to 168 s. ' Australian butter is selling quietly, choicest salted at 1545, and unsalted at 160 s to 1645. Danish is firm at 180 s. Cheese is dull. The New Zealand Control Board’s prices have been reduced to 84s to 85s per cwt.—(A. and N.Z.) CONFERENCES IN LONDON. BOARD OPENS PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN. (Received Friday, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 10. The New Zealand dairy position is -unchanged. On Mr. W.' A. lorns’s motion, members of the board conferred with Sir James Parr (High Commissioner) at the New Zealand Offices, for an hour and a half. It was the third conference this week. The results of the deliberations were not disclosed, all refusing to diseuss the situation. It is understood that the board has embarked on a publicity campaign in selected .provincial areas with a view to stimulating the retail demand.—(A. and N.Z.)

CONSUMERS’ INQUIRIES.

POINT OF VIEW OF IMPORTERS.

(Received Friday, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 10. Scores of visitors to the “Daily Mail’s” exhibition at Olympia are daily inquiring for the New Zealand stall, and asking where is New Zealand butter obtainable, pointing out that it is not displayed in the shops as formerly. Importers consider that the time is ripe to take action and are drawing up a memorandum for submission to the board, giving their view of the reasons why the board’s policy has failed.—(A. and N.Z.) TARANAKI COMPANIES DISSATISFIED. DEMAND RESTORATION OF RIGHTS. NEW PLYMOUTH, March 11. A meeting of representatives of North Taranaki dairy companies passed a resolution drawing the Prime Minister’s attention to the deplorable state of the dairy industry allegedly brought about by the failure off the Dairy Control Board to sell the produce, and urging him to take immediate steps to restore to the companies their legitimate right of selling their own produce.— (PA.)

A MANAWATU REQUEST. The executive of the Manawatu and West Coast Dairy Companies’ Association has written to the Prime Minister asking him to make an early pronouncement on the subject of dairy produce marketing in Britain. PREMIER. THE BOARD’S FUNCTIONS. Government only too glad TO ASSIST. WELLINGTON, March 11. The Prime Minister to-night made a statement on the position of New Zealand butter on the London market, which he described as far from satisfactory, and giving cause for concern. He desired to make it clear that neither he nor th,e Government could interfere with the exercise by the board of its statutory functions. When in London in October, Mr. Coates said, he met a deputation from practically all the interests that had for years been handling New Zealand dairy produce in the United Kingdom. On October 27, 1926, he telegraphed to the Acting-Prime Minister his considered views on the question, which were made Public and which he understood were not acceptable to the Dairy Control Board. Following the decision of the board a further meeting took place between Mr. Coates and the various interests concerned, with the result that a committee consisting of representatives of the Dairy Control Board and the interests involved was set up to facilitate as far as possible arrangements for the disposal of New Zealand products. He understood that this committee was still operating. The latest advices received by the Government indicated considerable hostility on the part of the trade to a policy of price fixation, although additional causes bringing about the present difficultv were the ’general trade situation and the decreased purchasing power of the people ow3“g to the long duration of the coal strike. Also this season's operations were greatly prejudiced by the neees«ity of quitting approximate! v 600,000 boxes of butter held in store at the beVi® Din g °f the season for the accumulation of which the Dairy Control Board was not i/sponsible. Although dairy producers were most directly concerned, yet in view of the magnitude of the interests at stake, the welfare of the whole Dominion was deeply involved. He strongly deprecates the introduction of party political feeling and hoped that no attempt would be made to in-

troduce it. He saw no l reason to make any change in seeing to the maintenance of a high standard of quality by the board, in arranging for transport, insurance and storage charges, and the supervision of marketing in the Old World. The Government would be only too glad to assist the board, if asked, in finding a solution of the present and any future difficulties connected with the marketing of our dairy produce.— (P.A.)