THE POSITION IN NEW ZEALAND

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3120, 26 June 1917, Page 5

THE POSITION IN NEW ZEALAND

A message from Sydney states that Neft Zealand butter is being offered for export to Australia at Is. a pound, fob equal to Is Id. i u New South Wales, or la a pound under the maximum price r ir ~ Government in this State. Loral holders of butter do aot confirm this report, but there is reason to believe that some part of the heavy stock ot butter held in New Zealand is being oflered in Australia on term 6 similar to those mentioned in the cablegram. The export of-butter is subject to license by the Minister of Customs, "who has not yet been asked to-permit any- large quantities to go to .Australia. But it appears that some holders are of opinion that if they can. get'ls. a pound, f.0.b., for the Australian market, they, had better'sell before the new season's butter is added to the large quantities already iu the cool stores.

-m -n for Agriculture (Hon. W. D. S Mao Donald) told a Dominion reporter yesterday that he had no knowledge of sales of butter in Australia on the terms indicated in the cablegram. Ho would have no hesitation about granting, permits for export if tlio owners of the butter arranged sales in Australia on terms satisfactory to' themselves. There appeared to be a shortage of butter there, and as New Zealand had about' 230,000 boxes of butter in 6tore at the present time awaiting shipment, with the new. season not far-away, it would' not be wise to check sales.

Asked if there was any prospect of a redaction in the retail price of butter within New Zealand, in view of the apparent decline in export prices, the Minister said that he had no information on the point. If the holders of butter thought that the maximum retail price should be reduced in order to stimulate local consumption- and if they were prepared to reduce the wholesale price accordingly, he would be very pleased indeed to fall in with the arrangement. Brat uo suggestion of the kind had been made to him or to the Board of Trade, which had just been in conference with the representatives of the butter producers "I believe that the representations that have been made to the Imperial authorities aro going to Tesult in an improvement of the position as regards shipping," added the Minister. "We cannot see very far ahead, but as shipping becomes available it will be supplied. 1 The Government Tins never ceased its activity in this matter, and the outlook is not as dark as some people have suggested it to be."