DISCRIMINATION?

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 107, 7 May 1923, Page 8

DISCRIMINATION?

QUEENSLAND AND NI LAND BUTTER.

NEW ZEA-

When Victoria recently purchased supplies of butter,from New Zealand, it was expected that steps-would be taken in Brisbane with the object' of having the duty increased on butter brought into the .Commonwealth from the Dominion. The expected has happened, and takes the form of a complaint from the director of the Council of Agriculture 'of Queensland to the Tariff Board, indicating that New Zealand butter is being dumped in Australia because it has been purchased at prices below those charged to consumers in the Dominion. "The Australasian" wants to know, if New Zealand had aij exportable surplus, why should it not dispose of it in the best markets that are open for its produce. But the director of the council {Mr. M'Gregor) need not have gone, so far abroad if he wanted to discuss that side of marketing. Why, for instance, does Queensland supply the Southern States with butter at prices below those •charged, the people in that State?, Pernaps Victoria can complain that Queensland butter is being dumped in Melbourne, and it certainly would be a more legitimate accusation than could be made against New . Zealand. The fact of the matter is that, as wai the case last year, Queensland recently attempted to "squeeze" the last farthing from buyers in the South; who, owing to dry weather conditions, had been forced to import butter earlier than usual. Brisbane sellers for some timfs have been making Queensland consumers pay their losses on butter exported, and immediately it was learned that Victoria had patronised New Zealand, Brisbane largely reduced prices of butter for shipment to Melbourne, but its own consumers still pay "through the nose." . ;

Melbourne wholesale prices for butter when the mail left, on 28th April, were 224s per cwt, with £<i per 1b extra for pats. Queensland^,, consumers are paying in the local market prices which greatly soften'the blow of the depression in the London butter market for the Queensland dairy farmer. At the same time, wholesale London ' quotations for choicest New Zealand butter were: — 148s to 152s per cwt; exceptional quality, 1545. Unsaltect New Zealand butter was making 158s to 1625. Australian choicest, unsalted, 144s to 150s: salted 142s to 1445. ■