THE BUTTER POSITION.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 2006, 23 December 1921, Page 2

THE BUTTER POSITION.

IMPORTANT CABLE FROM HOME. DELAYED ACTION URGED. In the House of Representatives on Wednesday afternoon the Prime Minister read a telegram from the High Commissioner, which, he said, "discloses a position which has arisen in Connection with the stocks of New Zealand and Australian butter held by His Majesty's Government which will have a most serious effect upon the Dominion as a whole, if the understood intention of His Majesty's Government is given effect to at once." " the High Commissioner advises," continued Mr Massey, "that the Treasury has notified the Board of Trade that it must immediately realise the vemaining stocks of butter, which :unount to approximately 8000 tons of .■Jew Zealand butter and 14,000 tons of Australian. The Btard of Trade is iftated to be willing to sell all these •Jocks at an exceedingly low price, and t this sale is made and the low-priced fitter placed upon the market, it Si list have the elfect of so depreciating narket values for all butter that New | Sialand producers will suffer most! heavily. The Prime Minister is in communication with the High Commissioner in the, matter, and respec:kely requests that His Excellency will able the Right Hon. the Secretary if State for the Colonies, and request . that action be delayed by the Board : oi Trade until the New Zealand Government can be enabled to go thor-l <Wghly into the matter. "His Excellency's Ministers fully realise the position of His .Majesty's! TiDvernment in holding these large, ••oeks, and the desin i» liquidate! :r;?m, but the seriousness ol the consequences which must follow if the | yvoposalaof His Majesty's Government i » " at once given effect to is such I hat Jhey feel it urgently necessary to revjest that sufficient time be given to

nablc proposals for meeting the pos'.ion to be considered." ■ Mr Massey suggested that the mat- i Ur should be held over til! after thei Christmas and New Year holidays. He: >. id not yet received a reply to the ; cablegram, but as soon as he.received! it, it would be made public.