DAIRY PRODUCE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 June 1941, Page 3

DAIRY PRODUCE

GUARANTEED PRICE TO REMAIN AS AT P!\ESENT. STATEMENT BY MINISTER. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, June 25. Guaranteed prices for dairy produce for the 1941-42 season will be the same as at present. j The Minister of Marketing, Mr Barclay, announced today that prices paid I would be: 14.89 d per lb for butter and 8.42 d per lb for cheese, giving an equivalent butter-fat return of 15.88 d per lb for butter and 17.88 d for cheese. "The quantity of butter to be purchased by the United Kingdom Government for the 1941-42 season is not yet settled,” said Mr Barclay, in opening the conference of the National Dairy Association in the Town Hall. “It appears likely, however, that there will be a surplus of butter produced for export in New Zealand over the contract quantity. It would appear also that the United Kingdom Government does not desire any of the lower grades of butter included in its contract for 1941-42. “The New Zealand Government is prepared, however, under its guaranteed price scheme, to purchase all butter manufactured for export, including whey butter, and will itself assume the responsibility of any loss which may ensue. The price to be paid for second grade creamery butter will require further consideration.” The Minister said the conference would know that the United Kingdom Government had accepted New Zealand’s offer to supply 160,000 tons of cheese for the 1941-42 season, and had indicated that it would be prepared to continue purchasing this quantity for the war period and one yeai' afterward. New Zealand was the main supplier to whom the United Kingdom could look for cheese. Australia’s yearly exports for the last two years had been from 10,000 to 11,000 tons and the United Kingdom contract with Canada had been for 50,000 tons, both in 1941 and 1942. “I feel that this is an opportunity for New Zealand dairy-farmers to render a great war service, and I am sure you will do your utmost to meet this call,” the Minister continued. “The Government will do its part.”