THE CHEESE MARKET.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15775, 16 December 1916, Page 8

THE CHEESE MARKET.

♦ SHORTAGE OF FREIGHT. CONCERN OF MANUFACTURERS. (sraciAL to "the tbess.") WELLINGTON, December 15. From enquiries made concerning rumours that have been current during the last day or two, it appears that cheeso manufacturers and exporters are in a state of considerable alarm about their business, the reason being the very serious Bhortago of freight space for their product. It is said that many of them are concerned about the prospects, and would now be much more content if the Government wouiu take over the cheese output at a rate which they would have rejected with enthusiasm a couple of months ago. This difficulty about space was mentioned at the time tho Imperial Government's' offer to purchase was rejected. but it was then believed by the cheese men that there would be more ships available this season than last season. That forecast, which it is understood came from agents in England. has not turned out a good one. There is more than a possibility that the cheese producers and exporters will apply to the Government for relief. Their position will very soon become precarious unless Bhips are available. Cheese is a product wliich. cannot be held in store for a long period. It does not merely deteriorate; it becomes worthless. In' this respect it is oven more dangerous to bold than butter. In other ways the cheese men are being hit. They do not know all about the English, requisition in England, and they fear that the return from that compulsory trade will be less than the market rate that promised to rule for the season. While they are getting an uncertain return or (on the unexported cheese) no return at all, they have still to pay the Government tho id butterfat levy, and it is conceivable that this payment, with regular payments to suppliers, may lead to embarrassed finance, because no money can be obtained for cheeso in tho ordinary way until it is shipped.