OPTIMISM IN INDUSTRY

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29339, 19 October 1960, Page 8

OPTIMISM IN INDUSTRY

Dairy Chairman’s Views (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, October 18. “We certainly agree with Mr Skinner that the present decisions in Europe could mark the beginning of a new era in butter marketing,” said the chairman of the Dairy Board (Mr A. Linton) today. "We were recently informed that Holland has decided to act on one of the committee’s recommendations. “Up till now milk sold there has been standardised down to 2j per cent, butter-fat. Since the committee made its report the Dutch have decided to increase the fat content of their home milk supply to 3 per cent. “This decision alone will mean that Holland will produce some thousands of tons less butter annually.” ’ Holland also had had the experience a few months ago of increasing local consumption of butter by more than 65 per cent, in a month when the price to the consumer was reduced from 3s fid to 3s a pound, said Mr Linton. If all the short-term and long-term recommendations of the committee went into effect, the European problem would pretty well solve itself through greatly increased consumption of butter.

The industry in New Zealand would take fresh heart from the decisions reached, he said. When the dairy industry delegation was overseas shortly it would do everything it could to get them implemented.