EXPORT OF BUTTER

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 133, 17 March 1933, Page 7

EXPORT OF BUTTER

QUESTION OF RESTRICTION. POSITION CAREFULLY WATCHED. (Per Press Association) WELLINGTON, March 16. Proposals for the restriction of New Zealand's butter exports are receiving the constant attention of the Government in collaboration with the Dairy Board, according to a statement made by Mr Coates. l In reply to a question, the Minister isaid it was still too early to give any inkling of the course of action which would be agreed upon. There was nothing new or definite -to report on the discussions. Mr Coates said that the Government was closely in touch with the Dairy Board, which was being consulted at every step. "We are also in touch with the Governments of Great Britain and Australia and have emphasised our anxiety to co-operate in meeting the difficulties. Latest advices show that discussions in London have been postponed owing to the absence of Ministers. The Government is watching the position very carefully, but beyond this assurance that we are in close touch with the board there is nothing that can be said at the present moment." ' POLICY OF AUSTRALIA. CONFLICTING REPORTS. . I - WELLINGTON, March 16. . The only development to-day in the butter problem was an indication from Australia that the Dairy Board there had not agreed yet to any restriction of exports. A Canberra cable message on Tuesday stated that the Board had reluctantly agreed to a 6 per cent, restriction of exports, but this is. at variance with private cable messages received in Wellington to-day. The New .Zealand Board received a message from the Australian! Board stating that the Commonwealth Government had submitted to it certain proposals regarding export restrictions. The Board, however, was taking up a non-committal attitude in the meantime, and the question would be discussed at a special meeting at Canberra next Tuesday. A message received in another quarter to-day is said to have stated that the Australian Board , had definitely refused to commit itself to any policy of restriction of exports, and if restriction was to be enforced then the Commonwealth Government must undertake responsibility for such a decision. Meantime the position remains entirely unchanged as far as the N'ew> Zealand Board is concerned. At the last meeting it carried a resolution definitely opposing any restriction. Three' representatives leave shortly for Australia to discuss matters affecting the industry with the board there. As matters stand,,no meeting of the New Zealand Board will be held until the end of April. The position is unsettling to the dairying industry. \ London reports indicate that Australia's supposed agreement to restriction had the effect of firming* the market there. v ' New Zealand Production. New Zealand finest grade butter was quoted in London on Wednesday at 795, an. advance of 5s since Monday. The cheese market was also firmer at an advance of 2s per cwt. Latest returns issued by the Dairy Board show that our exports of butter during the seven months ended February 28 increased by 13,530 tons, or 21.73 per cent, to 75,787 tons, compared with 62,257 tons for the corresponding period of last season. Australia's butter exports to Britain for the same period were 70,335 tons, an increase of 13,130 tons, or nearly 23 per cent. QUESTION OF INFORMATION. (.Special to the "Guardian.") WELLINGTON, March 16. The recent rise in New Zealand butter prices in London, in anticipation of restricted shipments, gives point to the published criticism that New Zealand producers are not being informed of developments. The Hon. C. Macmillan (Minister of Agriculture), whose attention was called to the matter, declared that the attitude of buyers* was based on pure surmise, because there had been no decision to restrict. The Australian Dairy Board was meeting on Tuesday to consider the Commonwealth Government's suggestion for restriction. The Minister added that New Zealand producers were informed of developments up to a few days prior to the end of the session, and since then no information had been received by the Governmeirt from England.