SHORT OF BUTTER.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 58, 10 March 1927, Page 11

SHORT OF BUTTER.

BUT DISLIKE IMPORTING. ATTITUDE OF VICTORIANS. "AUSTRALIA FOR AUSTRALIANS." (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. After having spent a few weeks in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, Mr. Robert Nairn, a wellknown Christehurch business man, has returned with the conviction that the motto of the people across the Tasman is "Australia for the Australians." But lie challenged this spirit, declaring it unworthy, especially in relation to New Zealand, which bought much more from the Australians than the Australians did from New Zealand. Protests in Melbourne. By the steamer Moeraki, which arrived in Melbourne about the middle of February, some 5000 boxes of New Zealand butter was delivered to order. This fact was seized upon by the Melbourne daily papers, which conjointly made an attack upon such importation. They all agreed that there was a distinct shortage of butter in Victoria, owing to the long continued drought, but tliey wanted to know why New Zealand should be sent to for a supply. Their contention was that before taking the step inquiries should have been made as to a supply from Queensland or New South Wales, and the needs of Victoria drawn from either of these two centres, where there were large supplies stored. The whole trend of their argument proved to Mr. Nairn that the growing spirit over there was "Australia for the Australians." Must Import Again. In spite of the Melbourne dailies, however, Victoria and, perhaps, South Australia, would have to obtain supplies of New Zealand butter to fill up their shortage, which would remain perhaps for some months to come, as the drought was so severe that there is r.o hope of recovering the balance until weather conditions are more favourable.