NO CHANGE IN BUTTER PRICE

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31319, 15 March 1967, Page 3

NO CHANGE IN BUTTER PRICE

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, March 14. New Zealand could not expect a higher price for butter this year because of the increased volume going on to the British market, the Minister of Overseas Trade (Mr Marshall) said in Auckland today.

This was one of the “unsatisfactory aspects” of the 1967-68 New Zealand butter quota announced today, he said.

“In the quota negotiations we made it clear to Britain that we regarded the present price of 300 shillings a hun-dred-weight unfair to our producers,” said Mr Marshall.

“But the United Kingdom Government felt that with its economic difficulties and prices and incomes freeze, it could not offer any variations of quotas which would have the effect of increasing the price ” The Government was pleased that its minimum allocation this year was a record 176.000 tons, with the

right to share in any growth of the market.

“And, with growing markets elsewhere, especially in SouthEast Asia, the dairy industry can look to the future with confidence,” he said. “There is no possibility of not having a market for any surpluses and the farmer can go on increasing his production.”