BUTTER AND CHEESE

Evening Star, Issue 25699, 24 January 1946, Page 4

BUTTER AND CHEESE

LOW STABILISED PRICE IN N.Z. WHO SHALL FAY COST? (P.A.) WELLINGTON, January 24. A case of outstanding interest, particularly to farmers throughout New Zealand, commenced hearing at Wellington to-day, the question to be determined bein.<* whether the cost of holding butter and cheese consumed in New Zealand down to a stabilised level, which to-day is considerably below the cost of production, should be debited to the Dairy Industry Stabilisation Account. A joint committee of dairy and meat industries, in response to a suggestion from the Prime Minister at the dairy Dominion conference in 1944, discussed with Government representatives trade arrangements with the. United Kingdom and the proposed debits to the industry's stabilisation accounts, and agreement was reached on all points except this. It was resolved that the matter should go to arbitration, and in subsequent discussions was agreed that i-hfi best form of arbitration would he a bench of three judges.. The Supreme Court Commission of Inquiry, which opened to-day, comprises Sir M. Myers (C.J.), and Mr Justices Kennedy and Johnston. Mr P. B. Cooke, K.C.. anj] Mr Ti P. Cleary appear for the Crown, and Mr G. G. G. Watson and Mr H R. Eiss for the producers. It is anticipated that the case will extend well into next week.