Manawatu Daily Times THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 1924. Butter and Cheese

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3599, 3 April 1924, Page 4

Manawatu Daily Times THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 1924. Butter and Cheese

The present position of butter and cheeso on the Home market continues to exercise the minds of ’dairymen and merchants. At the end of February the price of New Zealand salted butter was IS6/- per cwt., while the quotation at the end of last week was 150/-, A drop of 3G/- per cwt. in about four weeks is a serious matter and those in the trade are very much concerned. The worst of the matter is that the butter that is now realising these low prices was bought in January and late December, and shipped in February, which means heavy losses for those who bought butter then. A business man not directly interested in the dairy produce business, but who keeps in touch with the market, because of the effect of rising and falling prices on domestic trade, expresses the opinion that the high prices of 1932 and 1923 have gone probably never to return again. In 1921 the Northern Hemisphere was not in a position to produce much butter for export and Britain was obliged to lean on the Southern Hamisphere which means New Zealand principally, and prices were therefore high. In the following year the Continent of Europe increased its exports, and there was a further heavy expansion last year. In the meanwhile there has been an increase from the Southern Hemisphere, with the result that supplies are now above requirements. That is a city mans view but fortunately its pessimistic outlook is not shared by '1 the authorities. Nevertheless dairymen would be well advised to prepare for a cycle of comparatively lean years, and make up in increased production what they may lose in price.

What Can the Dairy joard Do? Wien the authority just quoted was asked if the Dairy Control Board could not devise ways and means of bringing about a recovery, the retort was “what can the Dairy Board do?” He pointed out that the problem was one of economics of supply and demand, and that was beyond the control of the Dairy Board, or of the Parliament that invested the Dairy Board with the powers of compulsion and control. The Meat Producers' Board has the same powers and It has been working for nearly two years and has not yet found the magic method of holding up prices. Mutton and lamb are both lower in value than they were a few weeks ago, and the drop will hurt, if it does not cripple, some of the smaller meat companies. It has been suggested that shipments should be regulated. This proposition is so old that it is motheaten. Now can shipments be controlled and freights reduced when the big steamers have to call at every little port and steam up and down the coasts to pick up cargo? Vessels cannot leave to time like mail steamers while this continues. Asked for his own opinion as to how the position could be met, this business man said it could be met by maintaining a high standard of quality and reducing the costs of production. A Complete Board.

With the appointment of Mr T. C. Brash, as secretary, at £I,OOO per annum the /Dairy Control Board Is completed, and the modus operandi of the Board follows closely that of the Meat Board. This Board sent its vice- chairman, Mr Jessep, to England 'to inquire into the meat business. He was followed by the Secretary of the Board, Mr Lee, and later the general inanager, Mr Ross, went Home via the River Plate. The Dairy Board will improve upon this by sending its delegates together, and they; are to

make the same inquiries that have already been made by many Individuals as keenly interested in. the industry as any of the members of the Board. Fortunately there will be plenty of work in respect to the Empire Exhibition and that will help to got in some effective advertising, If it were not for this one would be apt to wonder what the twelve members of the Board and its Secretary could find to do. The Meat Board is singularly quiet except for the weekly cable messages that are handed to the press for publication. Apparently it has exhausted all its advertising stunts, and Is now figuratively speaking, twiddling its 'thumbs and drawing its salaries. Aijl the price of meat still falls!