NEW ZEALAND BUTTER

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 52, 28 January 1933, Page 7

NEW ZEALAND BUTTER

SHIPMENT TO CANADA, ARRIVAL AT VANCOUVER. TARIFF ACCORDING TO TREATY. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received January 28, 8.45 a.m. OTTAAVA, Jan. 27. It is' learned in official circles that no action will be taken to hinder the importation of 250,000 pounds of New Zealand butter which arrived at Victoria, Vancouver, to-day. Tlie shipment comes in under the regular five cents per pound tariff provided for in the Canada-New Zealand Treaty. It will cost the importer half a cent per pound more than the Montreal market price. FEARS BY OFFICIALS. BUTTER PRODUCTION MAY CEASE. Received January 28. 11.5 a.m. OTTAAVA, Jan. 27. AA’hilo the present shipment of butter is not considered large, the effect that further shipments would have on the Canadian butter production is being seriously considered b- the departments. It is understood that representations have been or are to be made to the New Zealand Government to hold back further consignments. Tho Canada-New Zealand treaty lias provisions by which neither can suddenly apply dumping duties. Tlie treaty provides that, where the imports from one become a serious injury to tlie producers of the other, 30 days’ notice can be given after which a dumping duty may be applied. The information here, * however, is that the Government is optimistic and no such drastic action has been taken. The situation in Canada is that there is enough butter in storage to meet the needs of the Dominion at least until March if the present rate of production is kept up. I»hat is feared in the Department of Agriculture is that, if N*ew Zealand butter is to pour into Canada now, tlie Canadian farmers will stop butter producing and allow the cows to go dry. AVith an abundance of feed and favourable weather, it would be very, beneficial to the farming industry if prices could be kept to a point where butter production through the winter would give the farmer suitable returns.

PRAIRIE FARMERS. GOVERNMENT CRITICISED. Received January 28, 10.30 a.m. CALGARY, Alberta, Jan. 27. The Federal Government’s refusal to prevent the importation of New Zealand butter is “just an instance of the fact that, the Imperial Economic Conference produced little or no benefit to tlie Canadian farmer,” according to a statement by the executive of the United Farmers of Alberta to-day. The statement criticised the Government’s refusal to take action, pointing out that it is » serious matter for the prairie farmers wlio, on account of the low wheat prices, seek a livelihood from their dairy herds, resulting in increased butter production. The competition, therefore, is a serious- matter. The importa.tion of New Zealand butter resulted in a reduction of .one cent per pound in the price of butter in Calgary and was the cause of a drop in the price paid to the farmer for butterfat, according to officials of Messrs Campbell and Griffin, a produce firm.

CANADIAN OPPOSITION TO IMPORTS.

VANCOUVER, Jan. 26. AA r ith a large quantity of New Zealand butter due to arrive on Friday, the Provincial Agriculture Department is sending urgent telegrams to Ottawa demanding action to protect • British Columbia dairymen from any unfair competition. Hon. William Atkinson, the Minister, said that if the shipments comply with the law they must be admitted. Dairymen insist on a currency dumping duty to offset tlie depreciation of the New Zealand pound. SHORTAGE IN AVEST. TORONTO, Jan. 27. A dispatch sent to the Mail and Empire from Ottawa states that a shortage of butter in the AVest permits the importation of 450,000 pounds of"the New Zealand product without prejudice to Canadian agriculture. This is the opinion of high Government officials.