Rise in biscuit price hits C.O.R.S.O.

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32702, 3 September 1971, Page 22

Rise in biscuit price hits C.O.R.S.O.

An increase of $B3 a ton in the price of whole-milk biscuits would inevitably mean that C.0.R.5.0. would be able to buy fewer biscuits to send overseas, Mr R. A. jConsedine, the council’s regional manager, said yesterday. The increase from $643 a| The board said that it had

ton f.o.b. to $726, was announced by the New Zealand Dairy Board yesterday. Developed in New Zealand, the biscuit is bought almost exclusively by C.0.R.5.0. and other organisations for overseas relief. Equivalent to one-

third of a pint of milk, it is used as a dietary supplement in many countries.

had to increase the price because of the rise in the price of all dairy products, but the new rate did not fully reflect the acceleration in price of milk fat and; milk powders, the main constituent's of the biscuit.

“We could earn more by selling the constituents in other forms, but our policy is

Ito give every assistance to C.0.R.5.0. and other aid organisations which are buying the product, and to offer the biscuit at a price which will yield a reasonable return and encourage a continuing expansion of sales,” the statement said. Since May, C.0.R.5.0. has ordered more than $75,000 worth of milk biscuits for East Pakistani refugees. Mr Consedine said that since his organisation first bought the biscuit the price had dropped from 2c a biscuit to 1.6 c, and the increase would probably restore the price to the initial figure. ‘‘This increase, however justified it might be, will inevitably mean that we will not be able to buy as many milk biscuits,” said Mr Consedine. “Whereas-we once used to ask organisations and children’s group? to undertake to sponsor a certain number of refugees on the basis of $5.50 for one biscuit for each refugee child every day for a year, now we will have to ask them to raise $7.30 to . provide exactly the same amount.”

Mr Consedine said that before the increase canie into effect, C.0.R.5.0. had ordered 100 tons of biscuits, which represented a saving of $14,000. This supply was due to be shipped to India soon.