NEW ZEALAND AND IRISH BUTTER.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 16054, 9 November 1917, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND AND IRISH BUTTER.

1 COMPARISON OF PRICES. SIR THOMAS MACKENZIE'S STATEMENT. (SPEC:.'-L TO "THE TRUSS."t WELLINGTON, November 8. The cabled statement attributed to Sir Thos. Mackenzio, that the Irish dairy farmers were receiving nearly double the prioe paid to the New Zealand farmers for butter, is not quite a fait presentment of the facts. Tho High Commissioner said that tho New Zealand producers wero being paid Is 5d per lb for butter. That is approximately correct. The price announced as having been offered by the Imperial authorities for the Dominion's output of butter was 156s per cwt, which *.s equal to a fraction less than Is 5d per pound. But it is understood that if the conditions asked for by the New Zealand producers are conceded, the price will bo equivalent to the figure named by Sir Thos. Mackenzie. The price being paid for Irish butter is not double this amount, but 221s per cwt. But it is paid for tho butter in England, whereas the Now Zealand price is for butter in this country. To make a fair comparison there should be added to the New Zoaland price somo 28s per cwt for freight, and at least 4s per cwt for incidental expenses, so that tho roal comparison is between about 190s for New Zealand butter as against 22-is *or Irish butter. A point to be taken into account also is that the Irish butter is fresh while the New Zealand butter is salted and several months old before it reaches the British market. There is a strong preference for Irish butter in iMigland, and it will always command a Jnghor price . than salted butter. that the New Zealand producers still have a grievance, but; they have not such a big grievance as represented by Sir Thos. Mackenzie.