BUTTER EXPORTS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 77, 13 March 1933, Page 7

BUTTER EXPORTS

RESTRICTION PROPOSALS FOUR POINTS FOR DOMINIONS. MAINTENANCE OF PRICE LEVEL. (Received 13, 11.10 a.m.) London, March 10. It is understood that four points of the butter restriction proposals have been telegraphed to Australia and New Zealand. They seek firstly a recognition of the principle of the necessity of restriction; secondly, the restriction to be on a ratio of 2 to 1 for foreigners and Dominions; thirdly, a period of three years; and fourthly, that the restriction should be variable periodically, enabling the maintenance of a price level in Britain, but the ratio to be constant. It is pointed out that British butter is not gravely affected because it is sold in relatively small quantities which realise higher prices than the Dominion product. The foreign negotiations have not lapsed, but have been adjourned and are awaiting Australia’s and New Zealand’s advice to Mr S. M, Bruce and Sir Thomas Wilford. . DOMINION BUTTER. RETAILER’S HIGH PRAISE. (Received 13, 10.13 a.m.) London,, March 10. Mr Gordon Selfridge told an interviewer that the Dominions were magnificently playing their part under the Ottawa agreement. He thought that the difficulties, such as those associated with butter, would eventually be overcome in favour of the Dominions. Mr. Selfridge and other traders wore pushing Australian and New Zealand brands, the quality of which was good and the packing better. The sales also were increasing. Mr Selfridge emphasised that if British householders were unable to buy butter at a reasonable price they would employ substitutes. ATTITUDE OF N.Z. BOARD, RESTRICTION STRONGLY OPPOSED. Wellington, March 13. There has been no change in the attitude of the New Zealand Dairy Produce Export Board, which, at its monthly meeting last Monday decided to oppose any restriction of exports of butter and cheese from the Dominion, its attitude coinciding with the then announced policy of the Australian Dairy Board. This statement was made last night by Mr T. C. Jlrash, secretary of the Dairy Board, who said the board held that any restriction of exports to Britain should apply first of all to foreign countries. Mr Brash indicated that the restriction proposals outlined in the cable message from London were practically identical with those received in Wellington last week. The New Zealand Dairy Board had received no direct advice regarding the reported chauge in the Australian attitude to restriction, said Mr Brash. As far as his board was concerned, he could only state that it was still opposed to any restriction of exports. He understood that the matter was being further considered by the Government in the light of recent communications from London, and he would probably be discussing the matter with them today. In the ordinary course of events there would be no meeting of the Dairy Board till the end of next month.