N.Z BUTTER CONTROL

Grey River Argus, 23 September 1926, Page 5

N.Z BUTTER CONTROL

MILLION BOXES STOCKED. In British Cool Stores. CAPITALIST PRESS SQUEAL. (Sun Cable.) LONDON. Sept. 21. Though definite statistics arc un i available, it is reliably estimated thai there are a million boxes of 2\cw Zea land butter in cold storage in Britain and of these 701),0U0 were stored befort the commencement of the New Zealand Dairy Board’s control. In addition there arc 127,000 Australian boxes stored, including new season’s arrivals. Newspaper criticism accuses the New Zealand factories of trying to squeeze the consumer. It. is stated that the quantity stored is 50 per cent above that in 1925, owing to trade depression. Australian butter is clearing steadily, but holders of Now Zealand are hanging on for better prices, though paying 3s a hundredweight storage monthly. It is largely in the nature of a I gamble for enhanced prices, though many experts predict that there is no hope of higher values even if the coal strike ends soon. Wholesalers contend that the prices are too high and declare that many retailers have been compelled to reduce prices. j Mr W. Grounds, chairman of the New Zealand Dairy Control Board, declares that there is no intenfion to exploit the consumer. The Board’s only policy is to maintain a steady supply and stabilise prices. _ Some traders predict that prices will break, involving losses upon the stored butter. FALL IN N.Z. PRICE. CHRISTCHURCH. September 22. The Canterbury dairy factories have reduced the price of butter to Is <_)d nett, the new retail rates being Is <d as from September 22.