Cabinet To Discuss Lower Butter Prices

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28183, 23 January 1957, Page 10

Cabinet To Discuss Lower Butter Prices

(From Our Own Reporter) WELLINGTON, January 22. The fall in the overseas price of New Zealand butter—now between £9O and £lOO below the guaranteed price—has caused a special meeting of the Cabinet to be called for Thursday night.

The Prime Minister (Mr Holland) made this announcement tonight. He said that before Cabinet meets on Thursday trade authorities and experts such as Mr P. B. Marshall, secretary of the Department of Industries and Commerce, will be consulted. After the conclusion today of the first Cabinet meeting this year, Mr Holland said the Cabinet had considered a confidential report on the economy of New Zealand, one of the chief points in which had been the prices now being obtained for dairy produce and meat.

Mr Holland declined to describe the position as serious, but admitted it was causing concern. He added that the very fact that the producers and the Government were examining the position together would undoubtedly result in the working out of a method that would be the most beneficial to all concerned. “Not a Calamity” “This development is having a great effect on New Zealand’s economy,” said Mr Holland, “but we are not facing a calamity. Rest assured of that. “It has not been the practice of

the Government to have the Cabinet meet at night because of the immense amount of work each Minister has to do every evening in his home, but the issues are so important that it should have a full evening to consider these matters.

“We have prepared for such an event as this and the system is designed to meet the position as it is today,” said Mr Holland.