A BUTTER REVIVAL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 220, 10 June 1908, Page 3

A BUTTER REVIVAL.

...., INQUIRIES FROM SOUTH .AFRICA. ' PRICES HARDENING*. Although tho Australian • butter shipments to South Africa-generally , this season have been loss than in the previous season, there is just now an increased inquiry from'tho African States, chiefly Natal, and prices aro hardening; both in Australia and in Now Zealand. Australian , inquiries for butter for South Africa have already reached Now Zealand, and some-Taranaki factories aro now asking lid. per lb. in consequence. In view of the decreased purchaso of Australasian butter, by South, Africa during tho presont season, as a whole, the present quickened inquiry from Africa may perhaps not bo of lond continuance. , But the circumstances which: ' have produced the in- ■ creased; demand- may in themselves indicate • ( an improved market at Home generally, and : V from this aspect thero is good reason for a hopeful view of the future. Local retail prices, however, aro still high enough to escape being affected for tho present. The " Victorian shipments of butter ' last' month were chiefly to, Natal; The total,export was 237,5991b., valued at £13,254, and, of that .total, sent to fourteen places, Natal 1 took £6654/ worth, Cape Colony/ £907, Java £2673,' and Britain only £103., ' A Dunedln View. ' Our /special Dunedin correspondent telegraphs that at the/present 'time there are something :like 90,000 boxes of butter in New Zealand,-and as inquiry from Homo has increased and sales ;haye been, effected at 103 d. to lid. per jb., tho surplus, if the present demand codtimies,, will soon be reduced. It is, not beyond, reason to contend that prices may be increased within a month 'or two. We-understand, -however,, that the' local'factory, has no intention to raise the' price. Though butter has increased by 6s. per cwt. in the.'Commonwealth, it is not likely that this will have any effect on the New Zealand market. A duty stands in the way.