DOMINION PRODUCE

Greymouth Evening Star, 31 July 1946, Page 6

DOMINION PRODUCE

BRITAIN PAYING MORE FOR DANISH BUTTER MINISTER EXPECTS CRITICISM (Rec. 11.5 a.m.) LONDON, July 30. The Minister of Food, Mr Strachey, speaking at a. press, conference today, admitted that he expected a certain amount of criticism because the prices for Danish dairy produce contemplated under the British-Danish agreement now being negotiated would be better than those paid for Australian and New Zealand products, but he added that he was informing the Dominion Governments of the course of the negotiations and expected to be able to satisfy them. “We are, of course, extremely anxious to help Denmark, because it is in our own interests to do so/’ he said. “I expect that we will be subjected to criticism from Australia and New Zealand because the prices are too high and from the Danish farmers because the prices are too low, but I think we can explain our position to both.” Mr Strachey said that details oi the contract had not been completed, but obviously Britain must try to meet Denmark as far as possible and pay a price sufficient to meet the temporary high costs resulting from Denmark’s lack of feeding stuffs, particularly coarse‘grains. Britain had not offered any criticism of Denmark’s arrangements with Russia, which would in no wise prejudice British interests. Mr Strachey added that more shipping was becoming available for importing foodstuffs to Britain, but the shortage of refrigerated tonnage was still the limiting factor. He paid a tribute to the housewives and bakers for the way they were carrying on under bread rationing. He declared that the recent storms in Britain, which would at least delay the home harvest, and also frosts reported from Canada, amply justified bread rationing. These were exactly the sort of risks the Government had in mind when it decided to introduce the scheme.