BUTTER BOX PRICES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 9, 9 December 1936, Page 10

BUTTER BOX PRICES

STATEMENT BY MINISTER. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Dec. 8. A statement about the substantial increase in the prices of butter boxes foi the current dairying season and the supplv and equalisation arrangements for 1937-1938 was made to-day by the Minister of Agriculture (Hon. Lee Martin) as acting-Minister of Marketing. He emphasised that, even had the Government not implemented the policy of increasing wages and reducing working hours, the prices would have increased to tho present level as a result of the development of the scarcity of white pine timber in the North Island. Regarding the supplies for the 193638 seasons the Government had secured precedence for North Island box factories’ requirements over prior Australian commitments, and thereby not only avoided an acute shortage of boxes for the present season, but had already commenced negotiations for ensuring an adequate supply of South Island white pine to meet the North Island deficiencies during the 1937-38 dairying season. It was also proposed to institute a stay order in respect of the type of butter boxes to he used for the 193738 season whereby dairy factries now using saranac and sub-standard boxes would continue to use the same type of container as during the 1936-37 season.

In conclusion, the Minister added: “The Government believes its actions have been dictated by the necessities of the situation and are in the best interests of the producer. Although the present scheme is now limited to the 1936-38 period, the Government has already initiated inquiries aimed at a long-term solution ot all the relevant problems as a result ctf which it is anticipated that the regularity of future supplies and the quality of tho boxes will be improved and the prices reduced.”