BUTTER PRICES

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 17, 14 October 1933, Page 9

BUTTER PRICES

Local Market Control

SINCLAIR SCHEME}

Proposal Before Ministers

Representations were made to the Government this week by the Dairy Produce Board in connection with a proposal for the introduction of legislation to control the price of butter on the local market under what is known as the Sinclair scheme. A deputation waited on the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, the Minister of Industries and Commerce, Hon. R. Masters, and the Minister of Agriculture, Hon. C. E. Macmillan, but it is understood that Government action is not likely until more definite proposals have been submitted.

The proposal, which emanated from the annual conference of the National Dairy Association at Hamilton recently, was to "load” butter at a rate of twopence a lb. with a view to establishing a fund' from which a bonus would be paid at the end of the season. However, inquiries in departmental circles indicate that the plan as approved at Hamilton has undergone some modification.

One of the alternative suggestions was that the “load” should be lid. instead of 2d., but the whole question is still “in the air,” and it is understood that the Dairy Board has been asked to put its proposals into more definite shape with a view to submitting them again to the Government. At the moment it does not appear likely the Government will act on the request to alter the Dairy Board. Control Act in the direction Indicated. MARKETING OF BUTTER Question of Forward Sales MATTER STILL “IN THE AIR” Melbourne newspapers recently reported that the New Zealand Dairy Board had agreed with the Australian board to restrict the period for forward sales of butter. 1 Mj. W. A. lorns, chairman of the New Zealand Dairy Board, when the question was referred to him yesterday. said that nothing had been decided yet in regard to the Australian proposals, and the whole thing was still “in the air.” A reply had been received from the' Importers’ Association in Tooley Street which showed unanimity of opinion that it was desirable to put dairy produce on a better marketing basis than that prevailing to-day. Further suggestions of the Importers’ Association would be considered at the Dairy Board’s meeting on October 25. AUCKLAND DECISION Any Restriction Opposed By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, October 13. Proposals for an amended system of narketing butter and cheese were discussed at a meeting held at Auckland by the recently formed New Zealand Dairy Produce Free Marketing Association.

The following resolution was carried : “That this meeting is convinced that any interference with or restriction of the absolute freedom of dairy companies to dispose of their produce as they think fit is opposed to the best interests of the industry and would have the effect of placing New Zealand’s dairy produce at a grave disadvantage on the British market.”

Opposition to the proposals was also expressed in telegrams received from a large number of South Island companies, which conveyed strong support of the free marketing movement. It was decided to hold a further meeting of the association at Wellington to form a Dominion-wide association of dairy companies who are supporters of the principles of free marketing.