BUTTER BOXES

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 138, 12 June 1936, Page 10

BUTTER BOXES

SEASON'S SUPPLY COSTS OF PRODUCTION The Minister of Marketing (the Hon. W. Nash) stated today that the delay on the part of butter manufacturing companies in ordering their supplies of butter boxes for the new season's output was causing a degree of apprehension among sawmillers and box-makers. "There are ample supplies of white pine," said the Minister, "but time is required to cut and season the timber. The sawmillers are not in a position to cut the timber into the required sizes until they know the needs of the box-making companies. The boxmakers cannot order, except in limited quantities, from the sawmillers until the dairy factory companies have placed their orders for boxes. The attention of the dairy factory companies was drawn to this matter on the 2nd instant, and the necessity of placing orders immediately was stressed. "Assurances were given to the Government by the New Zealand Sawmillers' Federation and the New Zealand Box-makers' Association that, i£ factories would order without delay, adequate supplies of boxes could be guaranteed. Reports obtained from box-making companies indicate, however, that factory orders are coming forward only slowly. In some case?, dairy factories have given, as a reason for not ordering, that they are disinclined to do so until they know what the prices of boxes will be. AN INVESTIGATION. "I desire to make it clear," said Mr. Nash, "that the Government has arranged for the Department of Industris and Commerce to make an investigation into the costs of timber production and box manufacturing, and that all prices Avill be subject to adjustment when the Department's report is received. There need, therefore, be no hesitancy on the part of the dairy factory companies in placing their orders for boxes without further delay. In fact, if they do not do so promptly, there will'be a shortage. "I. know that directors of dairy factories will realise their responsibility to ensure that an adequate supply of boxes is available, and I trust that they will accept this responsibility by placing orders for their full requirements at once."