PRICES OF PRODUCE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 1844, 19 June 1920, Page 9

PRICES OF PRODUCE.

TERMS OF WHEAT GUARANTEE. ESTIMATE OF 2s 3d FOR BUTTER. The conditions in which New Zealand produce would be (parked during the corning season were discussed by Mr D. Jones, M.P., in his presidential address at the annual conference of the North Canterbury Farmers’ Union.

Hofrrring to the difficulties in connection with frozen mcid, ]\lr Jones said it is difficult to think that, in a world where food.stuir.s are hound, to rule a high level for tho next year or two at. least, meat should not find a profitable market. " Whatever, may be the prospects of frozen meat," lie continued, " the prospect in front, of the wheatglower in New Zealand is the brightest in our history. This is our sowing time,.and wo are therefore most favourably .situated in. being able to take advantage' of- what looks like a- world shortage of wheat. Of course, there arc no absolute certainties in fanning, ;but statistics, backed by a mini- j her of authorities, point, in,the direction of Ijigli prices." In reply to a question, Mr Jones f>xplaincd the, effect of the, Government's guarantee of minimum wheat .prices for next .season. If the Dominion produced more than was required within, her borders, the maikn pries would be tho export value —liint i«, tiio value of the wheat, if the. growers wire, frcoto place their wheat upon tin- bast market within reach. If tho Dominion pioducocl less -than would meet her I'Xtfiutroments, the guaranteed value to ho paid to growers vould be the. landed ■o't of ii.-i|iorted, wheat. 'I he ]iio.-pcct« for dairy produce are the subject ofh'tho following remarks in the innuul report of the National Dairy Asso•iirtiou:— "From reliable information r«coived the Imperial authorities have deeded to fix maximum retail prices for butter and cheeso. The prices nrr ; tn be. respectively 3s and Is 8d lb. This will mean i limited free market. The shipper .will rceeiyo returns equal to these price:-, less the cost of ocean freights, marine insurance, dock- and landing- charges and the cost of distribution through tho wholesale igents and retailers. This will leave, in. die case of butter, a net. result of 2s 3d to 2s 4d II;.., arid in regard to cheese from is 2d to la 3d lb. Much, of course, will depend on the,cost of distribution, including the profit to t.he retailer."