Butter Consumption

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30593, 9 November 1964, Page 12

Butter Consumption

Sir, —Less butter consumption would assist balancing overseas funds. More rigid control of unnecessary imports from overseas countries would surely serve the same purpose. P. J. Marriott suggests the removal of the butter subsidy. “It is high time the New Zealand citizen paid at least the cost of pro-

duction,” he wrote. John Citizen is paying; the subsidy comes from the pocket of the consumers. After the present Government removed the subsidy our coal industry slumped. I entirely disagree with pricing articles from the market. Although a smoker, I suggest overseas funds can be saved if import licences for tobacco are curtailed. The saving would be greater, health better, and the family man able to secure butter for his children at the present price.—Yours etc.,

ED. C. CHANDLER. November 6, 1964.

Sir, —Sir Andrew Linton's appeal for reduction in butter consumption, leaves me cold, as it will most people in New Zealand. Once again the workers are to foot the bill for National Party “popularity policy.” Will Sir Andrew Linton appeal to his own class to forgo the purchase of brand-new motor-cars for a period of two years, and so save sterling funds well in excess of £2) million? Or would he appeal to the bondholders in London to forgo 5 per cent of the total interest receipts from New Zealand loans, the- money thus saved to New Zealand to be spent on butter to be supplied to starving millions of children in Asia and countries at present receiving Communist aid. This would help us and gain friends for Great Britain and strengthen the Western alliance. —Yours, etc., FOOD BEFORE LUXURIES. November 4, 1964.