N.Z. DAIRY PRODUCE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 August 1941, Page 3

N.Z. DAIRY PRODUCE

SALE TO BRITAIN

CHEESE RATION IN ENGLAND. AN INTERESTING REVIEW. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) HAMILTON. August 21. “During the past two seasons the British Government has purchased from the Government of New Zealand the total available butter and cheese that can bo shipped, other than that needed to supply normal requirements of cur regular clients in other parts of the world,” said Mr W. Goodfellow, managing director of Amalgamated Dairies, in an address in Hamilton today.

“Total quantities of all butter and cheese imported into the United Kingdom during the year ended June 30 are not known because of sinkings,” added Mr Goodfellow, “but we supply the following estimate: Butter, 193839. 472,000 tons; 1940-41, 225,000 tons; 1941-42, 198,000 tons. Cheese: 1938-39, 149,000 tons; 1940-41, 160,000 tons; 1941-42, 225,000 tons. The estimated consumption a head for butter in 1938 was 241 b, and in 1940-41, it was 171 b.

“The cheese ration in England is now 3oz a person a week, and Boz to miners, farm workers and genuine vegetarians, and it will probably be increased again when the coming season’s supplies are available. A large quantity of cheese is required for the Forces. The butter ration is now 2oz a week, and is not likely to be increased during the war period because of the reduction in British imports. The present position is that the total table fat ration, including margarine, is Boz, and of this total only 2oz may be butter. “Fortunately, the quality of margarine supplied has not been up to the pre-war high standard, and in consequence there is already a growing demand for more New Zealand butter,” added Mr Goodfellow. “Both butter and margarine are still sold only on national brands and regardless of country of origin. “It is difficult to forecast post-war retail prices of dairy produce in the United Kingdom, but the opinion of the trade is that butter will sell at 4d a lb higher than the best margarine when supplies are again normal. To date the herds of Denmark and Holland have been depleted by only approximately 25 per cent, but another winter may mean a further substantial reduction.”