PRICE OF BUTTER.

Press, Volume L, Issue 15015, 9 July 1914, Page 10

PRICE OF BUTTER.

EXPORT DUTY QUESTION. MR MASSEY'S DISAPPROVAL. (SPECIAL TO "THE PRESS.") WELLINGTON, July 8. Tho question of whether an export duty should not be placed upon such articles of common consumption as butter was, broached by the deputation of timber workers when interviewing tlio Priiuo Minister to-day. It was complained that New Zealand butter was often sold in London for lass than had to be paid for it hero. In his reply, tho Primo Minister said that ho could not encourage the idea that an export duty should bo imposed on certain commodities. They had to bo very careful not to reduce tho volume of the Dominion's exports, because a reduction would moan that less money would be coming into tho country, and this would causo the whole community to sulfur. It certainly did appear from the cabled reports that butter was often selling in London at a. less pr.ee thrui it could b_ purchased for hero, but tlio comparison was not a fair one, in thai tho price quoted in London was tho wholesale prico at which butter was sold by the hundredweight. It was not fair to compare that with the..tail price por pound hero. It was true that buttei had been too dear here, especially during last winter, but that'was caused by tho failure of supplius at tho end of last dairying season, owing to a drought, and to the export of so much butter-fat that sufiicioiit was- not left in the country to meet local requirements. He was opposed to any combination to put up the prico of butter or any other article, 'and if any legisr lation should be necessary to prevent anything of the sort, he would be willing to introduce and support it.