DUTY ON BUTTER

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 23 December 1927, Page 9

DUTY ON BUTTER

LATE EDITION

THE AUSTRALIAN INCREASE. TIME FOR ENFORCEMENT. NEGOTIATIONS REACH DEADLOCK BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGH'L. Received 12.15 p.m. to-day. SYDNEY, Dec. 23. According to the “Daily Telegraph’’ stalemate has been reached in the federal Government’s negotiations with New Zealand in connection with the increased customs duty on butte,;-. Some weeks ago the Federal authorities asked the New Zealand Government to concur in the increased duties. New Zealand objected and demanded ? full six months’ notice, according To the tariff agreement. The Federal Government having granted a similar concession to New Zealand with regard to wheat and Hour, was optimistic that the six months’ notice would be waived in regard to dairy produce, thus enabling the new duties to operate from January 1.. It is now under consideration that two Federal Ministers proceed to New Zealand and place the position before the Prime Minister, with a view to securing a compromise. It was in anticipation of the full duty coming into operation at the beginning of the year that the stabilisation committee raised the export bounty under the Paterson scheme from 3d to 4d per pound, as from December 12. While New Zealand butter is admitted here on 3d per pound duty, the ' Australian price for local consumption cannot be etabilising at a rate that will yield the pioduoers an adequate return to secure which organisations of the dairy industry have been working. For the time being the position as it effects Australian dairymen, and the price he receives for his product is uncertain.