BUTTER SUPPLIES

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20953, 4 November 1939, Page 8

BUTTER SUPPLIES

MINISTER CRITICISED SHORTAGE IN LONDON (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Nov. 3 Leaders in the provision trade describe the statement by the Minister of Food, Mr W. S. Morrison, that butter cannot be stored, as nonsense and suggest that the Government has inadequately attempted to lay in supplies, says the Daily Mail. One member of the provision trade is quoted as saying: “Does Mr Morrison know that New Zealand butter can be kept from six to nine months? How does he suppose it travels across the world?” Dominion supplies are stated to be ample. Moreover, it is explained, New Zealand and Australia are having bumper seasons. The Government of Eire has prohibited the export of creamery butter owing to market conditions, says a message from Dublin. The Government offers to purchase stocks of creamery butter deliverable at a central store. The Minister announced on Wednesday that bacon and butter would be rationed from mid-December. Probably four ounces a week would be allowed each person. Mr Morrison said the four-ounce ration would depend on a continuance of the present rate of supply. Bacon and butter were perishable and could not be stored. Therefore, no reserve existed at the outbreak of war. Supplies were expected to increase, but imports from Europe were reduced. There was insufficient time to fill the gap from more distant sources. The amount of rationing would depend on the supply from ' time to time.