BUTTER PRICES

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 December 1934, Page 7

BUTTER PRICES

ONE CAUSE OF SLUMP ? [BY CABLE PRESS ASSN. COPYBIGHT.] (Received December 18, 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, December 17. In an advertisement in the newspaper “The Grocer,” a well-known provision firm, Aplin and Barrett, commenting on the enormous* difference in tho price between Danish and Empire butters, says: It is certain that Colonial butter would be above the .present level but for the action of the Dominion authorities, especially New Zealand. The vast sums of money expended on advertising has been pnifctically thrown away, the effects being nullified by legislative measures. New Zealand’s recent regulations, prohibiting speculative buying by importers, means that all butter, whatever quantity it may be, must be cleared’off the market before the next arrivals are landed. This has established a lower level of prices, and Australian had to come down too. It is high time that Colonials came to their senses, and allow importers to conduct their own business. MEAT RESTRICTIONS. LONDON, December 17. Lively' attaches to Mr. Elliot’s and Mr. Thomas’s meeting with tho Dominion High Commissioners tomorrow, because there is considerable doubt whether Australia will regulate her beef exports in tho January and March quarters, whereas every other Dominion, and Southern, Rholesia, agreed. Mr. Bruce,' in such event, will be invidiously placed, becalse the Dominions’ unanimity is tactically necessary to enable them to negotiate the most important long term policy. It is expected that to-morrow’s meeting for the first time since the meat talks were initiated, will face the real issue.