DAIRY PRODUCTS PRICES

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25609, 25 September 1948, Page 6

DAIRY PRODUCTS PRICES

Schedule For New Season

ALLOWANCE FOR EXTRA COSTS

j (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 24. A statement by the chairman of the New Zealand Dairy Products Marketing Commisison issued to-night states that the commission has fixed the prices to be paid for butter and cheese acquired by it and manufactured in New Zealand from August 1, 1948, to July 31, 1949, as follows: — Purchase prices: Creamery Butter Finest grade: 94 points and over, 24.723 d a lb: 93 to 93 i points, 24.598 d (basic price). First grade: 92 to 92J points, 24.535 d; 90 to 91J points, 24.348 d. Second grade: 23.848 d. Whey Butter First grade: 23.598 d. Second grade: 23.098 d. Cheese Finest grade: 94 points and over, 13.68225 d; 93 to 93 i points, 13.651 d. First grade: 92 to 924 points, 13.526 d (basic price); 91 to 91A points, 13.4635 d. Second grade: 13.276 a. It is estimated that these prices, which include additional allowances to meet increases in factory costs, will enable efficient dairy xactory companies to pay to suppliers 27.751 d per lb for ibutter-fat for butter manufacture, and 28.751 d per lb for butter-lat for cheese manufacture. The structure of the guaranteed price now becomes per lb of butterfat: interest on capital, 3.240 d; farm werking and maintenance costs, 10.179 d; labour reward, 14.872 d; total, 28.291 d, less standard allowance for pigs, 1.540; total, 26.751 d. f The above price represents an increase in the terms of butter-fat of .844 d on the amount paid for the period August 1, 1947, to July 31, 1948. It is made up of .676 d for labour reward, and .168 d for farm working and maintenance costs. The increase in labour reward will provide for an additional 5s a week for each adult male unit of farm labour. The total labour reward equivalent in farm workers’ wages, including allowance for board and lodgings, then becomes £6 a week, plus 15 per cent., which now amounts to 18s, allowed because work is done at week-ends and on holidays as part of the normal week. The altered labour reward will involve an increase in farm workers’ wages, and this matter is being referred to the Minister of Labour (Mr A. McLagan) for his consideration and submission to the parties concerned. The increase of .168 d in the farm working and maintenance costs makes provision for ascertained increases in costs in accordance with established policy and procedure. A supplementary payment covering August gradings will be made separately to dairy companies early next month.