BUTTER BUSINESS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 14, 16 July 1937, Page 10

BUTTER BUSINESS

FEAR OF MONOPOLY

PETITION TO MINISTER

Illy IVlPLTtirili I'm-!.,. Aswiatuni., ■ CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. "The idea behind the internal marketing department is that by some coordination and organisation of the butter distributing business it will be possible to give the producer all that he is entitled to and at the same time give the'consumer the benefit of a service, which we think can be carried out more effectively," said the Acting Minister of Marketing (the Hon. W. L. Martin) this morning in reply to a deputation of wholesale and retail traders. The deputation presented to the Minister a petition signed by 150 wholesale and retail traders in all parts of Canterbury, asking that a monopoly of distribution of butter should not be given to one or two companies. The Minister said it was recognised in the internal marketing department that cut-throat competition in the butter business had been worse in Christchurch than in other parts of the Dominion, and that by a system of rebates and other methods a very distinct advantage had been given to certain distributors. ''Just how far we intend to go in the matter I cannot say at the moment," the Minister continued, "but I don't think you need feel disturbed for a little while. I don't think anything will be done in Christchurch and other areas until the return to New Zealand of my colleague, Mr. Nash."

An assurance was given by the Minister that before any alteration in the system in Christchurch was made the petitioners would be given an opportunity of making their representations.