BUTTER VALUES.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1380, 5 March 1912, Page 8

BUTTER VALUES.

ALLEGED RING IN LIVERPOOL. The following article, which alleges that a butter "ring is operating in Liverpool, appeared in tho Glasgow "News" of January 16:— "Many reasons have been assigned for tho increase in the price of butter, which commenced last November, and has gradually- risen until now it has reached the price of Is. 4d. to Is. 6d. per lb. • In some quarters it has been attributed to a shortage, the Liverpool • 'Post !f "remarks, yet according to figures appearing in a. provision trade journal the imports of Australian buttor last year amounted to 2,322,912 boxes, as compared with 2,128,455 boxes for 1910, and 1,335,541 for 1909. A comparison between the months of January, 1912, 'again shows that the present month is expected to register an increase in the importation of butter, because 355.080 boxes are due to arrive, compared with 385,535 for tho corresponding month last year. Interviewed yesterday, one of tho largest provision dealers in Liverpool made some startling statements. 'The public to-dny/' he said, 'are paying a most exorbitant price lor butter, and this is not due to a shortage. As a matter of fact the responsibility for the present increases in this commodity is to be placed upon a body of the large dealers who have formed themselves into a trust and are governing tho market and manipulating the prices as they desire. Instead of the consumer having to pay Is. 4d. per lb. for best Danish butter, he ought only to bo called upon to pay Is. 2d. The • combine is composed of about seven firms, all able to play with millions of .money, who are engaged in buying up all the butter, either in Copenhagen or in the colonies, Storing it in cold stores, and dribbling it out at exorbitant prices to the retailer. Here is an example:—Australian butter is bought by the trust o.t 104;. to 106s. per cwt., and yet when the retailer enters the market the price demanded is 1325.. Not only is the public suffering from this "cornering" of the butter market, but the retailer, too. v Tho retailer today is charged Is. 3d. per lb. for best Danish butter, and Is. 2£d. for colonial, and he in turn sells to the consumer at Is. 4d. to Is. 3d. respectively. Thus, in tho one case he makes a. profit of a penny and in tho other of a half-penny.' "In answer to an inquiry as to the best manner to incapacitate, and eventually to crush, the combine, this provision prince said: 'There is only one way. The public must leave butter alone for a few weeks—ban it; utilise other commodities, such as jam, etc., to a, larger extent. The effect will soon bo felt by the trust, aud rather than have an overstocked market 'the prices will quickly come within reasonable limits.'"

Messrs. E. and W. Davidson, Ltd., the weU-knov;n butter merchants, combat the above statement as follows: —The paragraph on dearer butter which was reproduced in the "News" yesterday from nn English contemporary, requires some correction. The total importation of butter from all sources during 1911 was practically tlie same as for the preceding year, but the heaviest arrivals took place during the first half of last year, and in addition -to this there were unusually heavy stocks, which had been accumulating during the preceding half year. These were nil absorbed in the usual course of business, and the shortage of butter began to be manifested during the summer, and autumn months on account of the intense heat, and prolonged drought experienced throughout all tho butterproducing countries in Europe, including Eugland and Ireland as well as in America and Canada. The result has been that up till the end of 1911 the imports from Scandinavia and tho Continent of I Europe have shown a falling-off quite equal to any increase in tho importations from Australia and Now Zealand, while it should bo noted tho average annual increase in consumption is about 150,fl0flcwt. In view, therefore, of the heavy fallingoff in production throughout the United Kingdom and the whole of Europe, and tlie greatly increased consumptive demand throughout Germany and in this country, there is not the slightest wonder at the relatively high level of values; and if it were not for the liberal supplies of butter received every week just now from Australia and New Zealand, it is certain that choicest butter would not be obtainable under at least 2>. per lb. There is little hope, it is added, of any important reduction in values until the month of May, when the European production will be at its usual level.

At Hip .innual moetinp; of the shareholders of the • Chccso Factory held recently, it was unanimously decided to replace; the old style of Vats and Choose Hoops for the more improved Victor Vats and Cheese Hoops manufactured by Mr. \. J. i'arton, Registered Plumber, Carterton. Writo for full particulars from A. J. Pnrton. Registered Pluinber, Carterton. It will be a mone.v-sa.ving move in more ways than one.—Advt.

Chick-rearing is not only profitalrio, but a pleasure, when you feed "A and P Chick Raißcr. It is a complete ami jproperly.blcndod food for Tounff Chiclij. ObtainaMo from bU Btorekcepers.-^AuvV

LIVE STOCK SALES.

Mr.' Xewton King's weekly report states:— At Douglas Yards, on Monday, February 19, for mv annual horse fair I had a good entry of ulicen. Bidding at the hammer was dull, but good business was done after the sale at the following rates:-Two-tooth ewe" 14-. fid.," 2, 0, and 6-tooth owes, 7s. 6d., 10s., 12s. 7d.; f.f.m. ewes, <s. lOd. to 9.=. 7d.; full-mouth ewes, 2s. 3d.; 2-tooth wethers, 10s to 12s. 4d.; 4-tooth wethers. 12s. 6d. to 145.; lambs (goods 6s. to fo. 9(1.: fair, ;,;. 2d. to 3s. lCd.; poor, Is. Gd.; rams, J to 2J guineas. . At mv ITremii lards on the same day sheep came forward in excess of advertised numbers, the cattle pens being only moderately full. I had a good demand right through for cattle, but sheep were not inquired for. Prices realised were:— Good wcaners, £1 4s. to £1 Us. 6rt.; poor, 15s. 6d.: yearling heifers, £2 2s. to £2 55.; 18-months heifers, £2 Ua. to £3 ICa.; 2 to 21-year heifers, £3 10s. to £4 10s.: 15months steers, £2 13s. to £3 65.; poor, £2 55.; 20-mont!i to 2-ycar steers, £-3 145.; store cows, £2 17s. to £3 6a.; good, forward, and fat cows, £4 Bs. 6d. to £4 155.; bulls. £2 175.; 2-tooth wethers, lis. 4d. to 12s. 4d.; hoggets, 6s. 7d.; mixed ewes, ss. At my Stratford Yards en Tuesday I had a very heavy entry of all classes, young cattle being yarded in the majority. Demand for these was only limited, consequently a good number went home. Prices obtained throughout showed a slight decline on former sales, store and forward cows, however, keeping their lato prices weli. A good number of weaners were penned, the best price obtained for these being £1 15s. for a choice line of Jersey heifers, ol.hoi- weaners realised from 13s. 6d. to £1 2s. 6d.; poor. 95.: yearling steers, £2 2s;. 6d.; 18 to 20-month steers, £2 19s. 6d. to £3 95.: 24-year steers, £4 55.; 21-year heifers, £3 12s. to £3 175.; store cows, £2 10s. to £3 65.; forward cows. £4 6s. to £4 17c.; fat cows, £4 17s. to £5 12s. 6d.. accordi ing to quality; 35-year bullocks, £6 to £6 55.; bulls, £1 7s. 6d. to £4 lis.; stag, £2.

On the same day I held my annual ram fair in my Stratford Yards, at the same time as my cattle sale. Hams came forward in excess of advertised numbers, but bidding was dull, and prices on the lowside, realising as follow:—Romney rams, 1 to 3Jgns.: English Lciccsters, U to ligns.; Border Leicester, 13 to 2gns.; Shropshire, 2gns.; Lincolns, i to 2gns. At Awakino Yards on Thursday, February 22, for my cattle sale and sheep fair 1 had a big yarding of cattle and sheep, both being penned in excess of advertised numbers. 1 had a large attendance of buyers from all parts of the district, ar.d as the condition of the cattle and sheep was very good, I had a very successful sale. Bidding for sheep was very spirited, every line, without exception, being clearod at the hammer. The demand for store and forward cattle was also good, younger cattle not selling at the hammer so readily, although the majority of these were cleared during the day. Good quality 31 and 4-year bullocks sold very quickly, at the following prices :—SJ-year bullocks, £5 175., £5 17s. 6d., £5 18s. 6d., £G 25.. £6 55., £6 13s. 6d., £6 145.; 3 to 31-ycar bullocks. £5, £5 75., £5 95.; 2*-ycar steers, good, £4 ss. to £4 15?.; small, £3 65.; 18months steers, £2 19s. 6d. to £3 55.; 2£year heifers, in ca'.f, £4 Is. to £4 65.; 18months empty heifers, £2 17s. 6d. to £2 18s.; fa.t cows, £4 17?. to £5 45.; forward cows, £3 18s. 6d. to £4; store cows, £2 18s. to £3 Bs. 6d.; bulls, ,C 1 to £4 10s.; stags, £3 65.; cow in calf, £2 13s. 6d.; lambs. 3s. 7d., ss. 9d., ss. 10d., 65., 75.; 2-tooth v.-cthers. 10s. Id. to 125.; 4, 6. and f.f.m. ewes, ICs.; 6tooth wethers, 13u. 6d.; f.f.m. ewes, 7s. 2d. to 7s. lid.: f.m. ewes, 4s. 3d. to 65.; fat ewes, 10s. 9d.; fat wethers, 13s. 10d.; Lincoln rams. 2i to 2igns.; Romney rams, 13 to 4gns.; Border Leicester rams, 2gns. At my Okau Yards on Friday the sheep and cattle yarded were much in excess of advertised entries, and a very good sale was held. Bidding opened slow on sheep, but improved during the sale, most of the stock being cleared at the following prices: --Lambs, beat, ss. 9d. to Bs. lCd.; good, 4s. Sd. to ss. 6d.; poor, 2s. Bd. to 45.; 2-tooth wethers, Us. to 125.; 2-tooth ewes, Vie. lid.; 2 o.nd 4-tooth ewes. 14s. ICd.; 4 and 6-tooth ewes, 10s. 3d.; f.f.m. owes, 6s. to os. 10d.; mixed ewes, 10s. 4d. to ICs. lOd.; f.m. ewes, 3s. Id.; rams. U to sgns.; 18-months heifers, £2 13s. to £3 25.; 18-months steers. £2 15s. to £3 IDs.; 2i to 3-year steers, £4 ss. to £4 95.; poorer, £3 16s. to £4 Is.;, bulls, £3 16s. to £5 ICs.; 21-ycar in-calf heifers, £4 ss. to £4 65.; forward cows. £3 19a. to £4 25.; fat cows, £4 Bs. Cd. to £4 18s. 6d. At Pohokura for my annual sheep fair I had a good varding of sheep and a good attendance of buyers. Bidding throughout was very good for all classes. The whole yarding (with the exception of two small pens, cleared after the sale) was sold a.t the hammer at the following rates:—Lambs, best, ss. 6d. to 6s. lid.; poor, Is. 4d. and is. Bd.; 2-tooth wethers, lis. Id.; 2 and 4tooth, poor, 9s. 4d.; 4 and 6-tooth wethers, 133. ICd.; 4-tooth wethers. 12s. Bd. to 13s. 10d.; 4-tooth owes, 9s. 10d.; 4 and 6-tooth ewes. 13s. 3d.; mixed 2-tooth sheen, ICs. Id.; f.f.m. ewes. ss. Sd. to Bs. 9d.; old ewc-s, 2s. to 4s. 6rt.; Lincoln rams, Is. Id.; Romney rams, 3 to 2igns.